Our streets and sidewalks are becoming more dangerous. I was walking out of the Vine Cinema on the sidewalk with two friends, when one of my friends grabbed my shoulder and moved me out of the way of four kids riding on bikes with electric motors as they silently passed closely by us on the sidewalk. The kids never gave a shout nor slowed down as they nearly hit me from behind. After missing me, the four kids rode off the sidewalk, diagonally crossed the street and continued riding on the opposite sidewalk toward the center of town.
A couple weeks ago, I was pushed off the sidewalk by some kids riding bikes with electric motors. These kids wanted to pass us (at least they shouted for us to move off the sidewalk, which we did). It appears that some kids have no idea that riding a bike on our sidewalks is illegal and dangerous.
Years ago, I had a motorcycle. I took classes on motorcycle safety, took a rigorous motorcycle test to obtain a license, registered my motorcycle with the city, and never considered riding my motorcycle on a city sidewalk. These new bikes with electric motors are not registered. The riders of these bikes are not given training to ride safely.
In the San Francisco Chronicle last week, I read that parents had to pay large hospital bills due to injuries caused by their kids riding bikes with motors. As I recently had a close call, I realize there might be more lawsuits and injuries unless we make our sidewalks safer.
