Speedier e-bikes, scooters should prompt greater road awareness
Operators of all vehicles have role in keeping everyone safe
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Both kids and grownups have been riding bikes throughout Fort Dodge for decades. And while scooters faded from the scene for awhile, they are enjoying a resurgence of popularity with young people today.
We view people traveling on bikes and scooters as a good thing. It beats driving everywhere in this age of $4-a-gallon gas. And getting outside is good for physical and mental health.
But something has changed. A growing number of the bikes and scooters have electric motors in them.
That means they are going faster than any bike or scooter powered by human strength alone.
Bicycles with electric motors in them are known as e-bikes. There are some models of e-bikes that can reach 28 mph. That is really fast when one is traveling around Fort Dodge on something that is not much bigger than a traditional 10-speed.
With e-bikes and scooters capable of zooming around faster than ever, a new level of responsibility is needed to keep everyone safe on the road.
That responsibility falls on both the drivers of cars and trucks and those using bikes and scooters.
Following all the rules of the road is the No. 1 thing both groups need to do.
Those on bicycles and scooters are not exempt from stop signs. And they are not exempt from any other traffic control device.
People must remember that their bicycle or scooter is smaller than anything else on the road. Any collision will not end well for someone on a bicycle or scooter.
Those at the wheel of cars, pickups and SUVs need to be aware that today's bicycles and scooters move faster than ever.
There may come a time when it could make sense to require some kind of safety training for those who want the biggest and fastest e-bikes. Safety training is required for everything else on the road that has a motor. Perhaps there should be some discussion about this topic during the 2027 legislative session.
But the most important thing is for operators of vehicles, bikes and scooters to be alert and follow the rules of the road.
A little common sense and courtesy will go a long way to keeping everyone safe.