Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - As one Town Board takes a look at e-bike safety at its meeting Wednesday, police agencies express their concerns about people using e-bikes safely.
Chris Horvatits of the Erie County Sheriff's Office says deputies have been in constant communication with the board on e-bike safety. He says the office first became aware by residents in neighborhoods around Clarence that this was an issue they were concerned about.
"We sent deputies out to the bike path. We sent deputies out to the neighborhood surrounding the bike path, and indeed noticed that as a result of the operation of some of these e bikes, there were some unsafe situations with the speed at which these devices were going, instances where operators may not have been wearing helmets," said Horvatits in an interview with WBEN.
Addressing safety with parents and e-bike users has been more about education than enforcement, according to Horvatits.
"We've made people aware that you can't operate e-bikes on streets with a posted speed limit beyond 30 miles per hour. And of course, we've gotten the word out that if you are operating one of these micro mobility devices, it is highly recommended that you wear a helmet," Horvatits explained.
He adds e-bike users have to be at least 16 years of age.
In Cheektowaga, Police Cpt. Jeffrey Schmidt says there have been concerns about e-bike safety there as well.
"We always like to remind everyone that these are not motor vehicles to be operated in the roadway," said Schmidt with WBEN.
Schmidt says educating yourself is key to being safe.
"There are very specific rules and requirements for how you operate them, and the biggest thing is educating yourself and understanding where you can operate them," Schmidt advised. "If you can be in a roadway, you can be on the sidewalk, what type of proper protective equipment to use."
He also recommends looking up DMV guidelines.