Neighborhood Electric Vehicle Safety—We have received quite a few reports regarding the unsafe operation of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (golf carts) by underage drivers. One such issue was a toddler allegedly standing on an adult’s lap while steering the vehicle. Another was a couple of skateboarders holding onto a rope while being towed up and down Niguel Shores Drive. Fortunately, no one was injured. We can only hope that the owners of these vehicles have instituted better control over the vehicle’s use. We should all keep in mind that these vehicles do not have safety devices built in, as do our regular cars, so a simple accident can result in serious injuries. Also remember—to drive such vehicles in our community, the driver must possess a driver’s license.
Electric Bicycles—Ebikes seem to be the latest craze, and they present a safety concern. We see young people zipping in and out of traffic, through crosswalks, and across parks. Be cautioned that mandated safety requirements are minimal at present, so we must be our own safety monitors and take extra care when allowing young people to operate these vehicles. To legally drive one of these conveyances you don’t need an operators’ license or insurance. Adults don’t even need to wear a helmet to operate Class 1 and Class 2 of these vehicles. It is only when the Ebike is capable
of traveling at a combination of pedal and electric power over 28 miles per hour that the Ebike then is moved up to a Class 3 device where every operator must wear a helmet.
A brief reminder, if a subject is 17 years old or under, she or he must wear an authorized helmet when operating either a standard bicycle, an electric bicycle, skating, or scooting on a skate board.
I believe almost everyone has seen young people struggling with their Ebikes and narrowly avoiding a collision. Operating and controlling these bicycles is a new experience for our young folks. Every moment we spend discussing caution issues with them will prepare them for dealing with eventualities that are sure to occur.
Several folks have suggested YouTube as a source for safety-themed videos that also hone the viewer’s riding skills.
—God Bless . . . Tim Murphy
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