Electric bicycles and scooters are becoming increasingly common across New York. They can provide an affordable and convenient way to travel, but their growing presence has also created legitimate concerns for parents, pedestrians, motorists and local communities.

As new technology enters our neighborhoods, the government must resist two equally dangerous temptations: ignoring reckless behavior and answering every problem with another sweeping mandate. The proper course is one rooted in common sense, personal responsibility, parental involvement and enforcement of the laws already on the books.

New York law generally requires riders to be at least 16 years old to operate an e-bike or e-scooter on public roads. Legal devices may be used on roads with speed limits of 30 miles per hour or less and in bicycle lanes where available, and they are not permitted on sidewalks unless a local law specifically says otherwise. These rules exist for a reason. An e-bike traveling at 20 or 25 miles per hour is not a toy. In the hands of an inexperienced or reckless rider, it can seriously injure the rider, a pedestrian or another person using the road.

Parents should know what their children are riding, how........

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