Wake Forest’s streets and sidewalks have long been a battleground where the quick convenience of electronic scooters clashes with the safety of pedestrians. In a recent reminder issued by the Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD), officials doubled down on existing regulations, strengthening the community’s awareness that, per Sec. 30-90 of the Town’s Code of Ordinances, motorized scooters are outright prohibited on sidewalks, greenways, parks, town streets, and all other public areas. These scooters, defined by the ordinance, not only have handlebars but are also equipped with a floorboard designed to be stood upon and propelled by an electric motor or another power source.
Police Chief Julius Jefferson pinpointed the concerns tied to this quick transit, which, while modern in its zip and zeal, poses direct threats to those it whizzes past. “Our number one concern is the health and safety of our community,” Jefferson told the Town of Wake Forest news release. He implored the town’s youth and their supervisors to heed potential safety risks, thus preventing harm. The town’s firm stance hints at a larger conversation, one focusing on the negotiation of public space in the face of technological encroachment.
This advisory reminds parents that they are responsible for making sure their children follow the ordinance. If anyone under 18 fails to comply, their guardians may face legal consequences. Similar rules already exist, such as NCGS 20-171.9, which requires children under 16 to wear helmets when riding bicycles on public roads, paths, or sidewalks to help protect them from serious injury…