ORLANDO, Fla. – Amid an alarming rise in pediatric e-bike accidents, a Central Florida non-profit is educating children the way to keep secure whereas using e-bikes and e-scooters.
The backstory:
The ‘Bike Stroll Children’ program was launched as a pilot in Orange County in 2023. By means of in-school shows, this system empowers kids from elementary to highschool with information about security when strolling, biking and rolling of their group.
“We’re educating them the basics of the way to begin and cease their bike,” stated Emily Bush, Govt Director of Bike Stroll Central Florida. “We deal with the way to look, scan, and determine potential security hazards — not simply these posed by autos, but in addition ground-level risks like particles. We additionally emphasize the significance of carrying a helmet.”
One of many key matters they deal with is velocity administration for e-bikes and e-scooters, which have develop into extremely popular but in addition pose important dangers. Simply this summer season within the Tampa Bay space, there was a spike in pediatric e-bike accidents.
“We’re seeing a rise within the variety of crashes, and sadly, some have gotten critical and even deadly beneath sure circumstances as a result of variety of kids who’ve entry to those autos,” Bush stated.
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This system additionally distributes free security gear, reminiscent of helmets, and ensures children have the suitable lights on their bikes.
What’s subsequent:
Bike Stroll Central Florida is raring to increase this system to different areas, together with Polk County, however presently lacks the required funding.
“We’re in search of a company or companion in Polk County concerned with increasing this program. We might welcome conversations to determine areas, reminiscent of faculties and group facilities, the place we will implement this program. We might be very excited to take action.”
This system is presently funded by the Orange County Authorities and the Florida Division of Transportation.
The Supply: The data on this story was gathered by FOX 13’s Carla Bayron.Â
