Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth announced at Monday’s Bridgeport Council meeting that Police Chief Mark Rogers and staff were setting up an E-Bike safety course online and would be available this week.

 

The course is now available. 

 

Bridgeport Police have partnered with Be Crash Free to provide the Ride Smart: E-Bike Safety Essentials online course. This program is available to all Bridgeport residents free of charge and is offered in both youth and adult versions.

 

The program comes on the heels of Council and the police managing numerous complaints, as well as the police seeing an increase in incidents, involving E-Bikes. During multiple recent Council meetings, the city’s governing body has started a process to create an ordinance to deal with the new version of bikes.

 

While that process is not complete and Council still has to figure out a way to maneuver an ordinance that would also impact standard bicycles due to state law, Council agreed on starting to educate the public. This is the first step.

 

“There are two versions, for younger and older residents,” said Rogers. “We would encourage parents to go through the program with their children … Getting this safety program up and running, based on what we’ve heard at the last few meetings, is paramount.”

 

Rogers said, at the start, 165 free sessions are available. The city wants to see how well the community responds to it to determine if more is needed.

 

“Hopefully, it’s a good first step to help alleviate some of the safety concerns from our citizens as well as Council,” Rogers said.

 

Shuttleworth said the E-Bikes operate like a moped or even a small motorcycle. He said often they are being operated on roadways by youth who may not understand the rules of the road.

 

“We’ve had issues in the last few years with some kids getting hurt, including kids getting hit by vehicles and kids with broken bones. There have been all kinds of different issues,” Shuttleworth said, pointing out the goal will continue to be safety for the riders and those walking sidewalks or driving the city’s roadways. “There have also been many close calls.”

 

The youth course is designed for parents to go through with their young riders, while the adult course is for riders 16 years of age and older. The course is available to non-residents for $12.

 

Shuttleworth pointed out that while the course is free for residents and not mandatory, one of the disciplinary actions that could result in infractions of a potential ordinance would be making the course mandatory. That, he said, would be preferable over bringing a child or even an adult to course and paying a fine.

 

According to information shared by the city, whether you're new to E-Bikes or an experienced rider, the course will provide valuable information on safe riding practices, proper e-bike operation, navigating traffic, understanding roadway rules, and building the skills needed to ride confidently and responsibly.

 

Register for the course HERE.

 

Editor's Note: Photo of child on E-Bike from the Be Crash Free Facebook page. Bottom photo is of Chief Mark Rogers.