St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick issued a pointed message to parents Friday during an interview on 904 Now, urging them to take responsibility for curbing unsafe e-bike use among children.
The sheriff said residents shouldn’t expect deputies to prioritize e-bike enforcement, stressing that the responsibility starts at home.
“This falls back on the parents and guardians,” Hardwick said. “It’s their responsibility when it comes to their children. I don’t remember buying my kid a bicycle that went 30 or 40 miles an hour at 10, 11, or 12 years old and saying, ‘Hey little Jimmy, go visit your friend who lives 15 miles away.’”
The St. Johns County Board of Commissioners is currently considering a new e-bike ordinance to crack down on reckless riding.
Hardwick noted that some modified e-bikes can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour, and said he would leave enforcement up to his officers’ discretion.
“But if you’re expecting us to stop a bunch of kids on the sidewalk without helmets, I hope you understand that, as deputy sheriffs, we have other things we need to do,” he said.
Hardwick said he supports having deputies call parents rather than issue citations when encountering minors operating e-bikes dangerously.
“If we have a negative contact with a kid, we contact the parents and tell them, ‘This is your responsibility, not ours. We don’t babysit for a living,’” Hardwick said. “So go ahead and come pick your kid up on the e-bike that was going 48 mph on a sidewalk, and take them home and educate them.”
He also said parents should be willing to confiscate items from their youngins when used irresponsibly.
“God forbid we upset the little kids and tell them we’re going to take something away from them,” he said.
Hardwick also expressed concern over the effect e-bikes are having on children’s physical activity.
“These kids aren’t even pedaling anymore,” he said. “It’s so sad because we’ve taken away the little bit of outdoor activity they had from riding a bicycle.”
12 Responses
I road an e-bike on the beach with 5 others. 5 of the 6 wrecked, fell over, ran out of power…. Done with that. Age range: 32-75. Bikes were powered down to a max speed of 15-20 mph vs 30-40 mph. I just fell over on soft sand, my ankle is still sore 3 weeks later. I am 63 and very cautious…Nope, had my fill. Just saying: be safe
I absolutely agree with the Sheriff. Parents shouldn’t be buying these for 10, 11, and 12 year olds. It’s like buying them a motorcycle.
A common sense sheriff!!!! Praise Jesus! :-). Especially the part about lack of exercise. And, holy dang. Those things go way too fast for kids to make good decisions with.
Thank You Sheriff Hartwick for once again demonstrating leadership and a common sense mentality!! E Bikes are basically motorcycles with an electric engine. Operation of these “motor vehicles” should be consistent with the requirements to operate a motorcycle!!
I agree, but isn’t that putting it in the hands of the law? How is that on the parents? Children cannot legally operate motorcycles on the road. Those laws don’t currently exist.
I love that we have a common sense Sheriff that calls out this as a parent responsibility. I also agree with with his comment about activity reduction with ebikes. Kids (and adults) need to get all the exercise they can. I’m 67 and still pedaling! Ebikes are not for kids!
Be great if there was some more enforcement of the golf carts being operated all over the county. 10 years old driving golf carts down and across 210 frequently, extremely dangerous.
i agree with Sheriff , Something will have to become graphic until we realize the deathly possibilities of these machines!
I am only glad these things were not around when my kids were young. They are so dangerous and so many kids are riding them with no helmets which is more insane. The minimum driving age should be the same as driving a car.
I have a 15 and 13 yrd old who use an ebike and I insist on them using it responsibly, with a helmet, and on the sidewalk when able. Just like a bike. At a low speed. The bike isn’t able to go a crazy speed. And I tell them to watch out and be careful every time. This is a parental responsibility.
And I know technically a bike should be on the road but I tell them it’s safer on the sidewalk if they are acting responsibility. Rather have them hit a pedestrian than a car hit them. Again, this is with them biking slowly/responsibly.
It would be a great solution if parents were responsible. Unfortunately if parents were responsible the problem wouldn’t exist.