to the editor: What will it take for lawmakers to finally act on the e-bike crisis that has been plaguing our streets for the past few years (“OC teen on electric motorcycle injured 81-year-old man. Teen's mother now faces felony charges”. April 22)?
In my neighborhood, I see kids riding what are essentially electric motorcycles almost daily. They ignore stop signs, weave through traffic, and do wheelies in the street. These are not harmless bikes. They are fast, heavy machines used by children who often do not understand the danger they pose to themselves and others.
Do we really need to wait until a parent is prosecuted or a child is seriously injured before taking meaningful action?
Lawmakers should focus on the manufacturers and retailers who sell these bikes and require greater safeguards before purchasing them. There needs to be a better system of controls and accountability so that these machines do not fall so easily into the hands of children. I support clean transportation, but not at the expense of public safety.
Julian Yun, Redondo Beach
