By admin 
APEX, N.C. (WNCN) — A surge in e-bike and e-scooter usage is raising urgent safety concerns across central North Carolina.
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With young riders on high-speed electric bikes and little oversight, communities are on alert.
Apex town leaders held a critical public meeting Wednesday evening at Hunter Street Park to address these issues and hear from residents.
Each student was required to read and sign the Mayor Jacques Certified Safety Commitment and, in return, received a seal to place on their bike or scooter.
“This is a step in a positive direction because many kids have been going way too fast at times, jumping off sidewalks onto the roads, jumping back and forth, not really paying attention to where they are and what traffic is doing,” said one parent, Daniel Leinbach.
So, Mayor Gilbert has introduced the certified safety commitment, and teens are taking the pledge. “It is asking us to be very safe when you’re riding, be cautious of your surroundings,” said Teen Jackson Hackett.
Hackett is one of dozens of teens who received this seal after pledging to be safe.
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“It’s a commitment for safety, ride safe, ride smart, lead by example, and what they are pledging to is that they’re going to abide by the rules as far as our laws and regulations,” said Gilbert.
Mayor Gilbert says this is only the beginning. “We’ve got to have more conversation, and we have many partners that will help us along the way with having those conversations and making sure we get that feedback,” said Gilbert.
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And other county leaders feel this is the right move to bring everyone, including kids, to the table to voice their concerns. “I expect Apex to have a much better position to shape their policy recommendations and their ordinances once they’ve gotten more feedback from the community. I think this is a great and intentional way to go about public planning,” said Executive Director of Triangle Off-Road Cyclist, Shaun King.
And it’s a pledge e-bike riders like 14-year-old Jackson are taking seriously, with his mom agreeing with the Mayor’s action. “She said if she can’t trust me on bikes, she won’t be able to trust me with cars when I’m driving,” said Hackett.
Currently, there are no established rules in Apex regarding e-bikes or e-scooters. You can find the Mayor’s Safety Commitment by going here.
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