Officials in Hudson Valley urge awareness as data shows concerning trend in e-bike crashes
Data shows an alarming spike in crashes around the country, according to AAA.
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Some officials say that a concerning trend in the number of e-bike crashes is an "emerging roadway crisis."
A teenager in Carmel was seriously hurt in one of the latest e-bike crashes. The crash happened Tuesday night in the area of Watermelon Hill Road and Eleanor Drive.
“We had a 13-year-old rider involved in an e-motor bike crash," said Carmel Police Chief Anthony Hoffmann.
Officials say this issue goes beyond Putnam County. Police in Westchester say they’re seeing it too, as well as in other areas of the tri-state.
Data shows an alarming spike in crashes around the country, according to AAA.
Officials with AAA Northeast told News 12 that people need to do their research before buying or riding these kinds of bikes. They say laws around using them vary by state, especially when it comes to age restrictions, the class of the bike and where they can be used.
“Just because it’s called an e-bike, it is not the same as riding a bicycle. Anyone who is going to use one of these devices really needs to understand the type of power that what they're riding on has," said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast.
"It is one of the things that we stress greatly, that parents have that conversation with their children to actually emphasize the safety of this," said Hoffmann.
More information about the current regulations can be found HERE.
