Californian authorities have revealed that if a child gets involved in criminal wrongdoing due to the reckless operation of e-bikes, the parents could be apprehended as well. The update came on Friday, August 31, via The Orange County Register, amid the growing issue of children in unwanted situations due to these vehicles, as the state deals with more than two dozen investigations, per NBC Los Angeles.
E-bikes’ and e-motorcycles’ growing popularity might be cause for concern
The local prosecutors are still dealing with 26 open investigations into tons of underage use of electric two-wheelers. The District Attorney’s Office informed that these open investigations might turn into criminal charges for the parents of the kids involved in the cases.
Several residents and community members have pointed out the issue and suffered non-fatal crashes on several occasions with kids using their e-bikes uncontrollably. A community in Seal Beach also addressed the issue on Tuesday during a Rotary Club meeting held by residents.
Seal Beach Rotary Club meeting brings added attention to e-bike cases
During the Seal Beach Rotary Club meeting, per NBC Los Angeles, the Orange County DA’s Office received a number of similar complaints from community members who were involved in such accidents or episodes of reckless operations by juveniles. The meeting also featured a 72-year-old Stephanie Potter who was hit by an e-motorcycle in March.
Potter suffered multiple injuries due to the impact and was in the ICU for two weeks. “At the point of impact, my face hit the concrete. That’s why my nose and my jaw were broken. Emotionally, it was a pretty devastating time for me, but I am recovering every day,” the victim added.
The DA’s Office launched the Ride Safely campaign to curb the crisis
The formulation of RIDE SAFELY identifies the accountability of riding e-bikes and e-motorcycles. A team appointed for the initiative operates within the boundaries of the Family Protection Division of the DA. Todd Spitzer stated that the body makes it easy for the attorneys to keep the process consistent across cases…