In recent months, concerns over electric scooter and e-bike safety have surged in Las Vegas, spurred by a troubling rise in accidents and injuries.
Last month, an incident in Chinatown highlighted this trend when a teenage rider collided with a pedestrian, resulting in extensive bruising for the victim.
In 2024 alone, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has responded to ten fatal accidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters, matching or exceeding the totals from the last two years.
With many non-fatal injuries going unreported, the urgency for change has become evident.
A study released by UC-San Francisco found a staggering increase in injuries related to e-bikes and e-scooters, with annual increases of about 100% and 45%, respectively, from 2017 to 2022.
In light of this growing crisis, policymakers in Clark County and Henderson have implemented stricter regulations on the use of electric vehicles in public spaces, including e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-skateboards.
Commissioner Justin Jones of Clark County has championed the establishment of these new policies aimed at addressing safety concerns on the Strip and in regional parks.
After receiving feedback from residents about excessive speeding by e-bikes at Mountain’s Edge Regional Park, the Clark County Commission unanimously passed new ordinances on May 6, which came into effect on May 21.
“This is something that’s very prevalent in Southern Nevada and across the county, and we really needed to fix this issue before we moved on to expansion,” Jones remarked.
The new regulations classify electric vehicles by type, capping speed limits at 15 miles per hour.
E-bikes that do not require pedal-assist are prohibited in parks, and minors are mandated to wear helmets while riding.
All riders must also equip their vehicles with a bell or horn, front lighting, rear reflectors, and effective brake systems.
Fines for violations range from $150 for first-time offenders to between $300 and $600 for repeat offenders, and parents are held responsible for underage riders.
Jones expressed a desire to extend regulations to county roadways but emphasized that state law limits local authority in this matter.
“Provisions in statute limit how far local jurisdictions can go,” Jones explained.
In Henderson, a similar ordinance passed in December prohibits most types of motorized vehicles, including scooters and motorcycles, from public parks and non-designated trails.
However, Henderson’s ban allows e-bikes equipped with pedals while applying restrictions to any personal electric vehicle that operates using a throttle.
Henderson Assistant Director of Community Development and Services Ian Massy has emphasized the seriousness of injuries associated with e-bikes and scooters, urging parental involvement regarding rider safety.
“We’ve had serious injuries. We’ve seen them on the news around the entire Valley. We need parents to be involved and understand that these are motorized vehicles that have the same risk of injury and death as a car,” Massy stated.
The Henderson Police Department is also grappling with the need for enforcement on public roads, with two e-scooter fatalities reported last year alone.
Henderson Police Sgt. Richard Paul has articulated the growing concern over unlicensed and young riders operating these vehicles in a manner similar to driving a car, thereby creating hazardous conditions.
“The rise in these incidents is directly related to the increasing affordability and availability of technology,” Paul noted, underlining the need for more comprehensive solutions.
Without state intervention, local police have limited options for addressing e-scooter and e-bike safety.
On stops, Paul uses the time to educate young riders, often making contact with their parents for added accountability.
Simultaneously, the Henderson Police Department has embarked on collaboration efforts with local middle schools to promote safety awareness.
Rider education remains a crucial element in mitigating risks associated with electric vehicles.
The LVMPD organized a safety event for young riders in June, while Boulder City launched a program focused on educating youth about safe riding practices in April.
Local entrepreneur Joe Cantalicio, owner of WheelZen Rides, felt compelled to act after the tragic death of a young man he knew who was killed in an e-scooter accident.
Determined to help reduce risks, Cantalicio initiated a recurring youth safety seminar, with the next session scheduled for July.
While Cantalicio acknowledges the environmental benefits of small electric vehicles, he stresses the need for regulations that correspond to their power and performance capabilities.
“Regulating them according to power or motor size and moving toward an open-type registration system is necessary,” he argued.
Despite the new ordinances, local officials maintain that these measures are just the beginning in raising awareness and promoting safer riding practices.
Massy aptly summarized the sentiment: “This is not the solution. This is a step towards bringing awareness and education.”
image source from：lasvegasweekly
