Letters

I read the column by Karl Grossman about e-bikes [“The Risks of E-Bikes,” Suffolk Closeup, Opinion, August 24]. Yes, they are dangerous, but not only to those who ride/drive them, as you discussed, but also to pedestrians, which you did not mention.

In New York City, a woman crossing the street was hit by an e-bike — she died. The city had no way of tracing the bike, which took off. People on e-bikes often ride in the wrong direction, weave in and out of cars, ride on sidewalks, go through red lights, etc. They have also been known to grab items from people and scoot away.

When a pedestrian crosses the street now, he/she needs to look every which way, right and left, forward and back, in case an e-bike is coming from the wrong direction or going through a red light.

The lithium batteries and charging cause fires, which is a separate issue you did discuss and needs regulation. However, immediate action for the e-bikes and riders could and should be taken. Bikes need to be registered, with license plates, so they can be traced; they should be insured; the drivers should be licensed and should wear helmets — all of which are required for motorcycles and motorscooters.

E-bike drivers need to follow the rules of the road. And these things, if implemented, should be enforced. If this does not happen, chaos will result.

The column was a good one but did not go far enough.

Jane Adelman

East Hampton