Are They Safe?
A Mom’s Take on Scooters & Electric Bikes
Last Christmas I bought my son a bike. Just a regular bike. He wasn’t happy about it; he wanted an electric one like “everyone else.” I told him no. Not yet. Because when I look around, I see kids on scooters and e-bikes flying through stop signs, not wearing helmets, headphones in, texting while they ride. And I see drivers doing the same thing; eyes on their phones instead of the road. It’s a dangerous mix.
The Reality in Our Community
Here on the North Fork and across Suffolk County, we’ve already seen serious injuries and even fatalities tied to scooters and e-bikes. Recent crashes in Riverhead, North Bellport, and Selden have left families facing devastating outcomes. Too often, the causes are the same: distracted driving, ignoring traffic laws, lack of visibility, or kids simply not being ready to handle the speed and responsibility.
What Do the Local Statistics Show?
The concern isn’t just what we see anecdotally; it’s backed up by real numbers:
- Between 2017 and 2021, 546 people died in Suffolk County in collisions involving pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycle riders, or drivers. That’s the highest number in any county in New York State.
- Suffolk also has one of the highest rates of bicyclist fatalities in New York, with “vulnerable road users” (people walking, biking, or scootering) making up a large share of traffic deaths and serious injuries.
- Police on Shelter Island have recently raised concerns about the sharp rise in unregulated e-bike use among teens, noting that many kids under 16 are riding without helmets, despite the fact that New York law requires e-bike riders to be 16 or older.
These aren’t abstract numbers; they represent real families right here in our community.
What the Law Says in New York
- Riders must be at least 16 years old to use an electric scooter or e-bike.
- Helmets are required under 18 (and strongly recommended for everyone).
- Electric scooters are capped at 15 mph.
- No permit or license is required for most legal scooters and e-bikes.
Benefits vs. Risks
There are real upsides: independence, mobility, and eco-friendliness. But those positives only matter if kids are prepared and if parents set boundaries. Without maturity and safety habits, the risks outweigh the benefits.
What Parents Can Do
If you’re considering a scooter or e-bike for your child, here are a few things that can help keep them safe:
- Assess readiness, not just age. Responsibility comes first.
- Start with the basics. Master a regular bike before moving to motorized.
- Insist on helmets, always. Non-negotiable.
- Ban headphones and texting. Full attention is the rule.
- Practice in safe spaces. Empty lots or quiet streets before busier roads.
- Set clear boundaries. Time of day, routes, and rules you both agree on.
A Mom’s Bottom Line
Scooters and e-bikes aren’t “bad.” But without rules, preparation, and accountability, they’re not safe. For now, my son still rides his regular bike. He may think I’m the strict mom, but I’d rather be the strict mom with a safe kid than the parent who wishes she had waited.
