So yesterday I’m in the next city over taking my grandson to a emergency orthodontist appointment. Driving home, stop at a traffic light. Picture this, east-west road five lanes, four traffic, one left turn lane, 45 mph speed limit. North-south five lanes south side, four north side that exits a shopping center.

As we’re leaving the light westbound traffic starts moving eastbound also with the light. And what is in the left travel lane? Some moron, not a kid, scruffy beard and all on a electric skateboard! He was stopped at the light in front of the line. And proceeds east! I did a double take on that! I’ve seen stupid things, dealt with the aftermath during my Fire/EMS days and did a few things in my younger days that common sense today would overrule. But this one won the Darwin Award.

And yes, there were sidewalks in that area, in fact from one side of the city to the next there are.

State law here prohibits using an electronic communication device while behind the wheel, between that and the time it would have taken to whip it out, he was gone.

Oh, but he was wearing a helmet!

Not on really busy streets, but I've seen those around here.

Faster than I'd expected, and I'd be a smear on the pavement if I tried it.
Still, foolish on a busy road with 4k lb and up missiles around you.

I've seen it a few times around here along with children driving UTV's and/or unplated dirt bikes.
All on public roads, some as busy as you describe. We had a 14 year old killed and passenger badly injured in a single vehicle UTV accident recently.
This is a problem that is only going to get worse unfortunately.

11 y/o just killed here riding an e-scooter in traffic. Obviously no license, no knowledge of traffic laws. It's not a kid issue - it's a parent issue.

electric personal vehicles are killing many. Even in my small town, multiple people killed/seriously injured by eBikes in the last few years. No so much the craft's fault, but that people just use them without thinking. I am (was) an avid cyclist. I only really rode on raods in the very early hours of the mornings, and out rural routes. I don't do it at all anymore, because motorists can no longer be relied upon to be looking out their windshields.

The problem with electric skateboards compared to e-bikes is that the street skateboards in general have small wheels that can get hung up on tiny rocks, pebbles, cracks in the road, etc. I have seen ones that are "all-terrain" that have slightly bigger wheels, but still can be stopped by debris and imperfections on the road. I used to ride skateboards and suddenly stopping in your tracks due to a tiny rock is a recipe for road rash or worse.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc H.:
11 y/o just killed here riding an e-scooter in traffic. Obviously no license, no knowledge of traffic laws. It's not a kid issue - it's a parent issue.

I've had a few close call with kids on e-scooters, in neighborhoods.
Got lucky & stopped short at a stop sign, still have no idea why I did, but 2 kids blew the stop sign on the cross street [they were on the near-side sidewalk & flew across in front of me], both doing 10-20mph.

I’m not a “get off my lawn” but there’s a younger guy in my neighborhood with a dual sport bike that doesn’t use much caution on the streets nor tries to keep the noise level down coming and going. I’ve got two Harleys and while the one is kind of “barky” I keep out of the throttle regardless of the time of day or evening.

Now it seems that the youngest one has a e-scooter, a Vespa wannabe. No helmet, no plates or scooter permit on it and little or no caution.

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:
The problem with electric skateboards compared to e-bikes is that the street skateboards in general have small wheels that can get hung up on tiny rocks, pebbles, cracks in the road, etc. I have seen ones that are "all-terrain" that have slightly bigger wheels, but still can be stopped by debris and imperfections on the road. I used to ride skateboards and suddenly stopping in your tracks due to a tiny rock is a recipe for road rash or worse.

Forgot to add, this was on an asphalt paved highway so it’s not like it’s smooth.

There will be a lot more legislation concerning these due to stupid people and injuries. The variety of electric vehicles is increasing quickly and so are the hazards. Some of those devices are really fast and make getting into trouble faster. I do admit I would like to have one of the e-bikes when prices come down some.

No , nothing surprises me . People are capable of unlimited levels of stupid and they demonstrate that daily .

We have the same problems in the Charleston area. No apparent parental responsibilities (highly doubtful that these young kids can affordable what I understand are expensive e-vehicles. The police only take reports, no apparent enforcement action--and the politicians do not seem to care and do not enact ordinances or laws. Sigh.

It’s not the inanimate tool
It is the living breathing tool

This message has been edited. Last edited by: trapper189,

Nine y/o kid, without a helmet, on an e-scooter, died after running into a minivan.

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