Electric bikes and scooters have slowly become more popular since 2022, being a tool many use for convenience in travel. The devices are being used by people of all ages for fun and transportation, such as getting to school, work and stores. 

Not everything about the popular bikes and scooters are fun and games though. The biggest issue is kids under 15 are riding them without knowing basic traffic laws. They’re used to cars stopping for them when they’re walking with their parents or playing outside, and they act like the same rules apply when on one of the vehicles. I’ve seen kids ride straight through intersections or roundabouts without even looking, forcing drivers to slam on their brakes or swerve. It’s only a matter of time before that leads to a serious accident.

While E-bikes and scooters might make sense in big cities with lots of traffic, they aren’t very practical in smaller, spread-out areas like Johnson County. Most schools, churches and stores are farther apart, so cars are still the more practical way to get around. On top of that, we live in a flat area where regular bikes or scooters already work just fine. These devices are better suited for places with steep hills, not neighborhoods where kids just use them to mess around. 

Children also need to be careful on how they are treating the devices. They are not dirt bikes or motorcycles and yet kids are acting like they are. At some points, they’re even being advertised as such and children are taking these advertisements to heart and driving recklessly, while not wearing helmets. These vehicles can, and should, be used for a better way of transportation for short distances only while obeying traffic laws.

In conclusion, E-bikes and scooters can be helpful, but only if people know what they’re doing. That’s why I believe riders should have to earn a license before they can own or rent one. Just like with cars, people need to understand the rules of the road before they’re trusted with something that can cause accidents. Without a license requirement, the bikes are just too dangerous in the wrong hands.