Memorial Middle School Resource Officer Dan Lauer and Middlebury First Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr stand by the e-bike used in e-bike safety presentations at Memorial Middle School. They visited MMS on three different days to present information to every class. (Submitted photo)
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
Middlebury residents, along with others who walk the Middlebury Greenway have been expressing concerns about the many e-bikes now traveling Middlebury streets and the Greenway. In response to those concerns, Middlebury Police Officer Dan Lauer (the Memorial Middle School resource officer) and Middlebury First Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr visited the school October 22, 23, and 26, to present lessons on e-bike safety to every student in all three grades, more than 400 students in grades 6 to 8.
Mahr attended each session, speaking directly with students about recent community concerns regarding the increased presence of e-bikes on Middlebury’s roads. She had helped organize the presentations as part of National Walk, Ride, and Roll to School Day earlier in October.
Middlebury is registered as a Safe Routes to School Community and has recently sponsored a School Resource Program in Middlebury’s schools. In his presentation, Resource Officer Lauer focused on the differences among Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes and current laws governing their use on Middlebury’s roads and Greenway. He emphasized basic safety rules and etiquette, proper helmet use, and the importance of yielding to pedestrians.
Lauer said he thought the students were very receptive to the information he presented, with many surprised to learn about force dynamics and how it affects e-bike riders. He told the students he wanted them to have fun and have a good time, but to do so safely, responsibly and with respect towards others. He also discussed the importance of not just wearing a bike helmet but also wearing it properly so it would be able to protect the rider in an accident.
When Mahr researched bike helmets following the presentations, she discovered that most regular bike helmets are rated for a crash speed of about 14 mph while e-bikes can do 20 or 28 mph depending on the class of e-bike. Motor driven cycles (dirt bikes, electric or otherwise) can hit speeds of 40 to 60 mph.
Mahr said a known safety gap exists for riders whose e-bikes exceed 14 mph if they’re not wearing an upgraded helmet (either a light motorcycle helmet or the Dutch e-bike standard). She offered the following link to one brand, ridelumos.com/blogs/stories/nta-8776, that she believes has a great explanation to help parents make an informed choice. Other brands will come up if parents search on “e-bike helmets.”
Lauer said the students were eager to learn about riding safely and responsibly. Armed with their new knowledge, some likely will change the way they ride their e-bikes.
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