Jackson Hole Fire/EMS has responded to four e-bike incidents with injuries in the last three days, leading to a calculated media push from four agencies to reach parents, pathway users, and drivers.
Safety Concerns
Deputy Chief Brian Coe expressed concern over the accidents, stating that one person was on the back of an e-bike not designed for two-person occupancy, resulting in someone getting caught up in the wheel. Three of the four injured riders were transported to the hospital, with a couple of the accidents involving minors.
Coe emphasized the importance of following the rules of the road, wearing a helmet, and controlling the bike’s speed. He also stressed the need for drivers to take a look around before accelerating after a stop sign, as accidents can easily happen between a vehicle and a cyclist going in the same direction.
Friends of Pathways (FOP), the Town of Jackson (TOJ), and the Teton County School District are working together to get safety messaging out to the community. FOP’s press release urges drivers, students, and the community to use extra caution on local streets, particularly near schools, in neighborhoods, at pathway crossings, at intersections, and on downtown streets.
Community Response
FOP Executive Director Katherine Dowson stated that e-bikes can be a great way for young people to get around, but they also require more vigilance from all road users, including adults behind the wheel. The organization asks adults on the road to respond with patience rather than frustration when encountering unexpected situations.
The Town of Jackson posted to Facebook, sharing rules of the road for cyclists, including the requirement to fully stop at stop signs and follow the correct direction of traffic. FOP closed by stating that everyone needs to do their part to keep the pathway system safe and enjoyable.
Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.
