
Police in one Massachusetts town are organizing a task force to address dozens of complaints and crashes involving young people on e-bikes. “What I’ve seen of the abuse of e-bikes has not come from adults,” Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino said. “It’s come from our younger generation, and I would say it’s 16 and below that abuses these e-bikes.”According to the Milford Police Department, officers in the town have received at least 26 complaints regarding groups of juveniles on bikes and e-bikes since May 1.”In addition to the speed of e-bikes, the bicyclists are operating in a very unsafe manner. Complaints of operating in and out of traffic, wheelies and other stunts. We’ve seen them drive in groups of up to 20,” the department said in a statement.Additionally, the department said it is aware of at least five recent collisions involving cars and bikes. This week, the Milford Police Department posted a video reiterating that e-bikes are subject to state traffic laws and noting that riders under age 17 are required to wear a helmet. Tusino expressed particular concern about the safety of e-bikes, which are sometimes seen going nearly 30 mph, and young riders. To be street-legal in Massachusetts, e-bikes have to be equipped with a throttle that limits power to 20 mph, but the chief says riders can find instructions for disabling that safety feature online. Most regular bike helmets are only rated for impacts at up to 20 mph.
Police in one Massachusetts town are organizing a task force to address dozens of complaints and crashes involving young people on e-bikes.
“What I’ve seen of the abuse of e-bikes has not come from adults,” Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino said. “It’s come from our younger generation, and I would say it’s 16 and below that abuses these e-bikes.”
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According to the Milford Police Department, officers in the town have received at least 26 complaints regarding groups of juveniles on bikes and e-bikes since May 1.
“In addition to the speed of e-bikes, the bicyclists are operating in a very unsafe manner. Complaints of operating in and out of traffic, wheelies and other stunts. We’ve seen them drive in groups of up to 20,” the department said in a statement.
Additionally, the department said it is aware of at least five recent collisions involving cars and bikes.
This week, the Milford Police Department posted a video reiterating that e-bikes are subject to state traffic laws and noting that riders under age 17 are required to wear a helmet.
Tusino expressed particular concern about the safety of e-bikes, which are sometimes seen going nearly 30 mph, and young riders.
To be street-legal in Massachusetts, e-bikes have to be equipped with a throttle that limits power to 20 mph, but the chief says riders can find instructions for disabling that safety feature online.
Most regular bike helmets are only rated for impacts at up to 20 mph.
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