Considering recent events, the upcoming Menifee E-Bike Safety Day couldn’t come at a better time.
Most people have heard the news as awareness of the e-bike safety issue in California increases:
— An Orange County woman was charged with involuntary manslaughter May 1 after an 81-year-old man struck by her son on an e-motorcycle died from his injuries. Police say the woman was warned not to let her son ride the Surron bike, which is not street legal.
— On May 7, a 13-year-old boy riding an e-motorcycle illegally on city streets died after his bike hit a center median and he was thrown off the bike in Garden Grove.
— On May 11, Amazon announced it had stopped California sales of e-bikes that aren’t street legal following the fatal collisions and a consumer alert by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
In Menifee – as is the case in many Southern California cities – reports of youngsters riding recklessly in packs of 10 or more on city streets have become common. Police officers, challenged to chase down the elusive bikers, have used a combination of extra enforcement and additional education on the matter.
Although the Menifee Police Department has not yet responded to Menifee 24/7’s request for data regarding the number of arrests and impounded e-bikes, social media has seen increasing reports by local motorists of more aggressive policing and better-behaved e-bike riders.
The question is, will it make a difference?
Time will tell, but in the meantime, young e-bikers and their parents are encouraged to attend Menifee E-Bike Safety Day on May 23 from 9-11 a.m. at Menifee City Hall, located at 29844 Haun Road.
There will be an e-bike safety lesson and a ride alongside officers on a guided loop around Haun Road and New Hub Drive. Kids are encouraged to bring their e-bike and helmet. Participants will receive a certificate for complimentary Chick-fil-A ice cream.
The event is free, but attendees must RSVP at this link:
Â
Â
Â
