LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Concerns are rising in Las Vegas over the safety of e-bikes and e-scooters as students increasingly use them to commute to school.
“It’s fun to ride, and decently fast, so it gets me to where I need to go pretty quickly,” Anthony Canas, a high school student, expressed to 8 News Now.
However, the convenience can come with a cost when it comes to student safety.
Police told 8 News Now that many of those concerns are due to high speeds and low skill levels, particularly in school zones.
“It’s the recklessness that we’re seeing, it’s the high speeds through school zones,” Clark County School District Police Department (CCSDPD) Lt. Michael Campbell told 8 News Now.
Principal Tara Powell of Spring Valley High School also noted the challenge posed by the fast speeds of the devices on campus.
“A kid trying to operate that, and navigate traffic is a recipe for disaster,” Powell said.
The devices are capable of reaching speeds of up to 65 mph, and modifications can make them go even faster, according to Lt. Campbell.
“We’ve seen kids as young as 9, 10 years old riding things that can be classified as motorcycles,” he added.
There have been approximately 95 incidents involving students and these devices since the beginning of the school year, many of whom were not wearing adequate helmets, according to CCSD police.
Efforts are underway in Clark County to address these safety concerns through legislative measures and increased awareness in schools.
“If we can get parents to see how their kids are driving, talk to them about how they’re driving, follow safety rules, and definitely wear a helmet,” Powell added.
As e-bikes and e-scooters continue to gain popularity, it is crucial for parents to make informed decisions about their children’s safety.
Lt. Bryan Zink with CCSDPD pointed out that many parents are unaware of the potential dangers these devices pose, as they can reach speeds comparable to motorcycles.
“A lot of parents don’t really even understand what they’re putting their kids on,” Lt. Zink said. “We’re encouraging school staff to start that dialogue with the child and the family to try and educate them.”
All facts from this article were gathered by KLAS journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KLAS staff.
