To the editor: The current Los Angeles Instances article in regards to the teenagers who assaulted a 57-year-old man in Hermosa Seashore highlights a deeper concern: Our e-bike tradition has gone off the rails, and fogeys — not simply youngsters — must be a part of the accountability dialog (“Two e-biking teenagers charged in violent assault on Hermosa Seashore man,” Dec. 10).
Sure, two teenagers have been arrested, and that issues. However this drawback didn’t begin with one incident. It started when highly effective e-bikes that may value wherever from $1,500 to $6,000 (with most able to speeds of as much as 28 mph) grew to become the default transportation for center schoolers with no necessities for coaching or licensing and much too little supervision. I stroll the Hermosa Pier twice every week, and it’s turn into routine to see giant teams of youngsters driving aggressively, weaving by way of crowds, harassing pedestrians and even setting off fireworks. If adults behaved this manner on motor autos, the outcomes can be swift and extreme.
And nonetheless, e-bikes aren’t inherently the enemy. For a lot of households, they’re important — a sensible resolution for fogeys who can’t drive their teenagers to each exercise. These bikes can promote independence and scale back automobile site visitors. However that solely works when requirements, coaching and duty exist. Proper now, they don’t.
California controls e-bike classifications, leaving cities with restricted authority. Hermosa Seashore’s emergency ordinance permitting impounds is useful, however enforcement alone can’t repair a parental vacuum. If mother and father buy motorized autos for minors, they should be accountable when these autos trigger hurt.
We required permits for mopeds within the ‘80s. Trendy e-bikes can attain related speeds. It’s time our guidelines — and our parenting — replicate that actuality.
Philip Williams, Redondo Seashore
