A midweek “ride out” that packed Wake Forest streets with kids on powerful e-bikes has town police signaling they are ready to crack down.
On March 7, a group ride in the Heritage neighborhood clogged roads posted at 35 and 45 mph, with packs of young riders rolling together on busy streets. Town officials say the stunt raised serious safety concerns for drivers, pedestrians and the kids themselves, and comes just weeks after Wake Forest tightened its micromobility rules.
As reported by The News & Observer, roughly 20 to 30 riders took part in the March 7 ride out, with ages ranging from about 11 years old to older teenagers. The group slowed traffic on multiple higher-speed roads. Town spokesperson Bill Crabtree told the paper that officers did not issue citations or file charges after the event, and instead focused on educating participants about traffic laws and town ordinances. The incident prompted Wake Forest leaders and police to remind parents and teens about the new rules and the possibility of stepped-up enforcement.
What the town changed in January
At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners approved an amendment to the town code that spells out where motorized scooters, electric bicycles and electric assisted bicycles can be used, according to Wake Forest. The update bans those devices from sidewalks, sets a 10 mph limit on greenways and multi-use paths, caps scooter speeds at 15 mph and limits e-bike motor-powered speeds to 20 mph, and blocks them from operating on roads with posted speed limits over 25 mph…