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SearchTransportation Rules Discussion
There are many different modes of transportation competing for the sidewalks and the streets today.
Here is a list of the contenders:
E-bikes, e-scooters, golf carts, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, small-wheel motorcycles, motorcycles, four-wheelers, rental bikes, rental scooters, motorized wheelchairs, delivery bots, delivery drones, autonomous vehicles.
This is further complicated by the tables and chairs on the sidewalk in front of restaurants and bars.
Here are some of the questions which need to be answered:
Who can legally ride on the sidewalk?
Who has to wear a helmet?
Who needs a driver’s license?
What age can ride in the street?
Who is not allowed to ride on State Route 8?
Are there existing federal, state or city laws that already apply?
Should all of the rules apply to the passengers also and not just the drivers?
Recently, I have seen as many as three people on an electric scooter going down Fairfield Avenue at a high rate of speed (over 30 MPH). Last week a golf cart was driven down the sidewalk on Fairfield Avenue. People are riding golf carts in our Beach Park. Twelve and 13-year olds are riding through intersection on e-scooters at a high rate of speed ignoring stop signs. Small wheeled motorcycles are being driven down the sidewalk by adults going to work.
Most riders of e-bikes and e-scooters do not stop for stop signs, traffic lights or look both ways at intersections. There are many people travelling the wrong direction on one-way streets.
Depending on which study you find, the results are similar showing that 78 to 93 percent of children and teens treated for e-bike and e-scooter injuries were not wearing helmets at the time of their crash. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 account for a massive portion of the severe incidents.
Male riders account for 80 percent of the severe injuries due to not wearing protective gear and taking more risks. Research shows that wearing a helmet cuts the risk of fatal head injuries by 90 percent. Surveys show that 40 percent of e-scooter riders have never worn a helmet. From 2021-2024 there was a 264 percent increase in e-bike/ e-scooter injuries among children. Nationwide tracking shows e-bike and e-scooter injuries continue to surge by 40 to 50 percent from 2024-2026 mostly impacting children and teens.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that children 14 and younger accounted for about 36% of all micro-mobility injuries (e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards, etc.) from 2017–2022—even though they were only about 18% of the population.
The CDC specifically recommends properly fitted helmets because they can help protect children and teenagers from serious brain and head injuries.
Why am I bringing all of this up at this time?
I am considering asking council to have a helmet law for anyone fifteen and under who are riding e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards, etc. I have contacted many people to see where I should put the age and 15 and under was the number everyone liked. I am also going to contact Children’s hospital and St. Elizabeth to see if there is any help in acquiring good helmets at a discounted price.
I also spoke to Emmy and Alex at E-Rides, 500 Fairfield Avenue, to see if they would help me if I need information on helmets and other things connected to this topic and they said they would be happy to help. Their family-owned shop specializes in electric bike sales, professional assembly, fittings, rentals and ongoing maintenance.
Road Resurfacing in Bellevue
We have been very busy resurfacing various streets in Bellevue the past few weeks.
Our contractor, Riegler, excavated and blacked topped. Grandview Avenue, Lafayette to Taylor; Lafayette, Retreat to Donnermeyer; Center Street, Washington to Foote; Washington, Grandview to Locust; Foote, Center to Grandview; Washington, Walnut to Grandview; Grandview, railroad to Ward.
In addition, we have scheduled three alleys for repairs and resurfacing within the next month. Gould Alley between Furhman and Lincoln Road has been prepped. The red bricks will remain. The area just off of Fuhrman will be repaired. The alley between Roosevelt and Cleveland has been prepped. That gravel alley will be blacktopped. The dead-end alley off Berry near Center has not been prepped, but the concrete surface will be covered with blacktop.
I know that many citizens have been impacted by construction activity in the city these past few weeks with the installation of new water lines on Foote, Grandview and Washington, and then the repaving project there. Duke has been here cutting trees. Sanitation District No. 1 has been lining storm sewers.
The good news is we’re getting a lot done.
-Charlie Cleves, Mayor