Dear Editor,
Heading for the beach, there I was, slowly weaving through the holiday traffic. Dodging the visiting campers, pausing to allow the families to cross, staying alert for the bikes, skateboards, runners and strollers.
Then barely catching a glimpse in my peripheral vision, I instinctively swerved and stopped. Giggling and waving, two youngsters snuggled onto a small e-bike wobbled past my bumper.
In a flash, I thought of Brodee Champlain-Kingman, R.I.P., now hoping that his tragic death will shake our community and government into preventing another lamentable loss.
Brodee’s death, according to reports, was a horrible accident not his fault nor the fault of the driver. However, much can be done to minimize the chance of another occurrence.
Immediate steps to safety can include road marking, e-bike functional upgrades, age limits, licensing, insurance and training requirements for e-bike users.
The City of Encinitas has proposed some traffic enforcement changes and the beginning of e-bike regulations. However, the State of California must also act quickly to establish fair and reasonable safety standards for e-bikes and their riders.
The young people I almost encountered were perhaps 12 years old. Others seen often are even younger. One perilous ride I dodged recently on the Cardiff Rail Trail had one adult and two very young passengers clinging to each other meandering through the dog walkers, joggers and alarmed strollers.
To travel in a car, these two “passengers” must be safely strapped into state-required car seats. Bouncing along on the e-bike neither of the two youngsters were safe or secure. That must stop, protecting us all from the unsafe judgments of the adults.
Certainly, one change must include an age limit. Very few of us would expect 10-year-olds to be licensed to use a motorized vehicle. Is 16 perhaps the reasonable limit?
And riders must have liability insurance, a California driver’s license and training specific to e-bikes.
With heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Brodee, now is the time for all of us to move forward and increase the safety for everyone involved with e-bikes.
Decision makers must be politicians, law enforcement, parents, schools and peers.
In lasting respect to Brodee and his family, this is the least we should do.
Eric Sandy
Encinitas
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What a terrible tragedy that Brodee Champlain-Kingman was killed while riding his e-bike.
Having witnessed young people riding their e-bikes without regard for the rules, and maybe no knowledge of rules of the road, I fear more young folks will succumb to accidents resulting in serious injuries or death.
E-bikes are motorized vehicles and should be treated like a motorcycle. That means drivers must be 16, be licensed through the DMV and have had all the necessary classes and road testing.
I am aware that this can be an inconvenience for kids and parents, but avoiding accidents and preventing catastrophic injuries or death outweigh inconvenience.
Sadly, I have witnessed, many times, parents on e-bikes demonstrate a blatant disregard for safety and rules to their kids.
This needs to stop if safety is a concern.
Barb Bolton
Encinitas
