Request for Restrictions on E-Bike and Electric Vehicle Use in Community Streets

To: Smith Farm Community Association / HOA and Community Management

We, the undersigned residents of Smith Farm, respectfully request that the community establish and enforce clear restrictions regarding the use of e-bikes and other electric bikes/electric vehicles by minors on community streets, particularly when operated in areas designated for motor-vehicle traffic.

Our concern is not with responsible recreational riding. Our concern is the increasing number of unsafe incidents involving young riders traveling at excessive speeds, entering vehicle lanes, crossing into oncoming traffic, and failing to obey basic traffic rules.

Residents have observed riders:

Traveling at speeds that are inappropriate for the conditions and surrounding traffic.
Operating e-bikes in vehicle traffic lanes.
Crossing over into lanes of oncoming traffic without adequately slowing, stopping, or signaling.
Failing to yield appropriately to vehicles.
Riding without demonstrating an adequate understanding of traffic laws and the dangers associated with motor-vehicle traffic.
Entering and crossing roadways in ways that create dangerous situations for both riders and drivers.
OUR CONCERN IS SAFETY

Smith Farm’s streets are shared by pedestrians, bicycles, e-bikes, and motor vehicles. A young rider who does not understand traffic laws or cannot reliably anticipate the actions of vehicles is particularly vulnerable in this environment.

At the same time, drivers can be placed in an impossible situation when a rider suddenly crosses into oncoming traffic or enters a vehicle lane without warning. Even a responsible driver may have only seconds to react.

We should not wait until a child or another resident is seriously injured before taking action.

WE ARE REQUESTING ACTION

We respectfully ask the Smith Farm HOA/community management to:

Review and establish clear rules governing the operation of e-bikes by minors on Smith Farm streets.
Consider prohibiting minors below an appropriate age from operating e-bikes in streets used by motor vehicles, particularly when the rider lacks the maturity or ability to safely follow traffic laws.
Establish and clearly communicate speed and traffic-safety requirements for e-bike riders.
Require riders to follow applicable traffic laws, including appropriate lane use, yielding, stopping, signaling, and traveling in a predictable manner.
Increase signage and resident communication regarding e-bike and bicycle safety throughout Smith Farm.
Consider designated areas or routes where younger children can safely ride without interacting with motor-vehicle traffic.
Take appropriate enforcement measures when repeated dangerous behavior is observed.
A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE — NOT A PUNISHMENT

This petition is not intended to prevent children from enjoying bicycles or e-bikes. We support children being active and enjoying our community.

However, an e-bike capable of traveling at significant speeds is fundamentally different from a traditional child’s bicycle when it is being operated around moving vehicles.

Our goal is simple:

Protect our children. Protect our residents. Prevent a serious accident before one happens.

We respectfully ask the Smith Farm HOA/community management to take this concern seriously, review the current rules, and work with residents to establish reasonable, enforceable safety standards for e-bike use within our community.

PETITION

By signing below, I am expressing my support for Smith Farm establishing stronger and clearer safety restrictions regarding minors operating e-bikes on community streets.