Lincoln Police say crashes, injuries and complaints involving e-bikes, scooters and minibikes are on the rise as warmer weather brings more riders outdoors. Public Information Manager Erika Thomas is urging parents to talk with their children about safety, including wearing helmets, controlling speed, preventing theft and following the rules of the road.
“Last year LFR responded to 35 e-bike and scooter crashes,” Thomas says. “This year we are already at 15 by mid-May, which is nearly double last year’s pace.” She says about three-quarters of the crashes they have responded to have resulted in hospitalizations.
“We are also seeing kids riding minibikes illegally on our streets, sidewalks, trails and school property and this is causing damage,” Thomas says. She stresses that minibikes are only allowed on private property.
Thomas says the growing number of incidents is becoming a citywide safety concern and stress that parents, riders and the community all play a role in keeping pedestrians, cyclists and motorists safe this summer.