Motorized vehicles (bikes, scooters, etc) for children

[SueBee]

I just read a sad news article about a 13 year old California boy dying because he was riding a two-wheeled motorized device, wasn’t able to stop in time and was hit by a train. I just don’t understand how anyone thinks the speed and power of any of these vehicles is necessary for a child, and how anyone could think a youngster has the wherewithal to handle them, make decisions, react in time, etc. Am I the only one wondering what is wrong with people these days???

There was another article, also Southern California, about an elderly man being run down by a teenager on one of those things… and the mom had been warned previously that her son was being reckless. Now that poor old man is in the hospital and who knows if he’ll recover.

 

[Time Waits 4 No Man]

I just read a sad news article about a 13 year old California boy dying because he was riding a two-wheeled motorized device, wasn’t able to stop in time and was hit by a train. I just don’t understand how anyone thinks the speed and power of any of these vehicles is necessary for a child, and how anyone could think a youngster has the wherewithal to handle them, make decisions, react in time, etc.

THE VICTIM: 13 YEAR OLD REIS BECK

UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED?

​

 

[Aunt Bea]

Definitely a tragic story but I think that it depends on the kid and the circumstances that they were raised under.

I grew up in farm country and there were many kids driving tractors, trucks, handling firearms, chainsaws, power tools, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, etc… when they were still in elementary school.

 

[Been There]

Not every kid has the “wherewithal” to handle motorized scooters and bikes. Some of these scooters that are on display will travel 40 mph. Kids aren’t prepared to control a moving piece of equipment at that speed.

When I worked on my grandparent’s farm, I thought I was hot stuff driving the farm pickup truck when I was 14. I started driving the tractors when I was 13, but never on the roads where cars and trucks traveled. I know I never drove 40 mph. More like, 15-20 mph.

I see kids in our development riding motorized scooters on our streets. There is a 15 mph speed limit within the development, but kids are traveling at 30+ mph. I’m thankful that our HOA hasn’t gone so far as to install speed bumps.

 

[IrishEyes]

I don't think my Great Grandson will be driving his car any further than Grandpa's back yard for a long time.
He can set the speed limit on it as he becomes more adapt to driving it. Then it only goes so fast.
My sons grew up in the country also and drove many different kinds of vehicles. We were wise enough to know
which sons tend to be the daredevils by the time they were given small 4 wheelers and made sure road driving
was NOT an option. They had a track on our acreage for that stuff as even with bikes kids will do stunts.
Parents have to step up and be a parent and set limits and actually watch where their children push the limits.

 

[SueBee]

Definitely a tragic story but I think that it depends on the kid and the circumstances that they were raised under.

I grew up in farm country and there were many kids driving tractors, trucks, handling firearms, chainsaws, power tools, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, etc… when they were still in elementary school.

It seems to me rural area vs suburbs would make quite a difference, not only in location but in mindset and maturity level of the kids.

 

[Jeni]

Definitely a tragic story but I think that it depends on the kid and the circumstances that they were raised under.

I grew up in farm country and there were many kids driving tractors, trucks, handling firearms, chainsaws, power tools, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, etc… when they were still in elementary school.

It does make a huge difference in kids being taught responsibility.
Unpopular to say but many issues and dangers could be avoided if people had responsibility and common sense. some kids should not be allowed to operate any machine even as adults .
AGE does not equal a maturity level to be responsible in their actions.

 

[againstthegrain]

The local towns just made reckless e bike use a misdemeanor, imo the wrong way to go. Riding safety, rider training, and accident prevention should be the priority, not punishment after the fact.

Passing a law is the cheapest, easiest "fix", but the effect is increasing law enforcement work load and kid's exposure to the judicial system, both fraught w issues.

Locally, I see the need for some changes in rider attitude for sure. Kids w e bikes can be extremely dangerous, look out after lacrosse practice lets out!!!