‘Unsafe and disruptive’: Hamilton County officials warn about e-bikes on roads, trails

HAMILTON COUNTY, Ind. — At least two Hamilton County cities have seen a rise in e-bike accidents and issues in the past few months, with officials now warning about their dangers.

“We’re now seeing crashes about weekly involving kids on E-bikes,” the Carmel Fire Department said on social media. “If your Evil Knievel rides one of these mini speed demons, please heed this warning.”

Officials say many of the recent crashes and police incidents have been caused by children “flying through intersections” and riding faster than other people expect. Carmel officials said the bikes, which look like bicycles but are electric-powered, can reach between 20-30 MPH.

This, CFD said, can result in young children moving much faster than normal through a sidewalk or pedestrian crossing.

“Recently, while a fire engine left the station on an emergency call, the driver looked both ways for cars and pedestrians,” CFD said. “However, out of nowhere, a child zipped by on the sidewalk at nearly 30 MPH. It could have been dangerous.”

The City of Fishers in Hamilton County has also seen a recent rise in electric leisure vehicles, such as e-bikes, causing traffic incidents. These also include dirt bikes and motorized scooters, Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart said.

“There is a large use of them,” Gebhart said. “They are an instrument that has come on heavy in the last six to nine months. They’re being utilized by a bunch of underage riders and they’re just causing issues throughout the community.

Gebhart said that these disruptions are not only happening on city streets, but in parks and on public trails as well.

“We want every child in Fishers to have fun outdoors, but safety must come first,” Fishers PD said in a post on Facebook.

In its post, FPD listed the following incidents they’ve been called to respond to:

• Kids blocking and/or riding in traffic, creating dangerous situations for drivers
• Kids riding on private property
• Kids riding recklessly (too fast, in roadways, without helmets)
• Disrespecting/cursing at pedestrians
• Property damage & personal injuries
• Riding in large packs not allowing room for others to use the trail
• Fleeing from officers when approached

Fishers police said that if an officer responds to an incident involving juveniles on electric-powered vehicles, they will contact the child’s parent or guardian and may hold the bike in police custody until an adult retrieves it.

“We encourage kids to enjoy the outdoors, but unsafe and disorderly behavior will not be tolerated,” FPD said.

Both Carmel FD and Fishers PD said they encourage Hamilton County parents to talk with their children about safe riding and “know where the kids are and what they are doing.”