Folsom PD partners with schools to address growing e-bike/scooter problem

In an effort to combat the ongoing problem and dangers of young e-bike and e-scooter riders on Folsom city streets, the Folsom Police Department took a proactive stance by taking its first directed enforcement to Folsom Middle School on Tuesday, Sept. 30. While Folsom PD has repeatedly published social media posts and PSAs about e-bike and scooter safety, facts about what is legal vs. illegal, and has offered education through its School Resources Officers on campuses, they say the problem continues to grow. In just the past week, there have been at least five collisions where an e-bike or e-scooter was involved and the operator was a juvenile, according to Folsom Police Officer Deidre McAuliff. As The Folsom Telegraph reported Sept. 23, there were two frightening e-bike and e-scooter incidents on Riley street within an hour of each other. The first was a collision between a car and a juvenile e-bike rider. The juvenile sustained minor injuries and initial reports from police were that the e-bike rider was travelling in the wrong direction of the bike lane. The second incident involved an e-scooter rider who suffered a solo accident. Officer McAuliff explained that Folsom PD is partnering with the Folsom Cordova Unified School District to address this dangerous issue. "Our directed enforcement today was aimed at educating middle school students that it is illegal for them to operate an electric scooter. The CA Vehicle Code states that an individual who operates an electric scooter has to be at least 16 and have a valid driver's license," explained McAuliff. "We issued eight warning citations for driving without a license and no helmets. A warning citation was used in hopes that we can correct the behavior and prove to parents the seriousness of the issues surrounding these electric scooters. We also issued two citations for students who showed up on electric dirt bikes. Those students were issued infraction citations and not warnings." While police are trying to maintain safety on the streets, McAuliff said one issue is that some parents or adults who buy kids these vehicles don't fully know what is legal for their kids to ride. Also, many parents justify the purchase of these vehicles because it's the way their kids get to school. "We understand that there can be challenges with parents getting their students to school. However, an electric mode of transportation that drives 25 miles per hour on the road with no seat belts/helmets doesn't have to be the answer," said McAuliff. McAuliff also pointed out there are still plenty of students who ride a pedal bike, a regular kick scooter, skateboard or walk, all safe and legal alternatives. Folsom PD has a traffic unit and School Resource Officers who are available to answer questions from the community, said McAuliff. There is also detailed information on the City of Folsom's website.