At the site of last week’s major injury e-bike collision. Photo: EPD.

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PREVIOUSLY:

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Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

The Eureka Police Department will place an increased emphasis on e-bikes, e-scooters, and e- motorcycles throughout the month of September as part of an ongoing effort to educate the community, promote safe riding, and address unsafe or unlawful riding behaviors.

Throughout August, EPD conducted an educational campaign focused on the laws and regulations governing these increasingly popular forms of transportation. The campaign was prompted by concerns raised by both community members and officers regarding unsafe riding behaviors and violations of traffic laws.

Those concerns were highlighted last week when an e-bike rider failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with the side of a vehicle. Fortunately, the collision was not fatal. The incident serves as an important reminder of the potential consequences when traffic laws are ignored and unsafe riding behaviors are allowed to continue.

Beginning in September, EPD will supplement its educational efforts with focused enforcement. Officers will conduct traffic stops when violations are observed and use those contacts as an opportunity to educate riders about the law, reinforce safe riding practices, and address behaviors that could put riders, pedestrians, or motorists at risk.

From Commander La France:

“Our goal is not to write more tickets. Our goal is to prevent a serious injury or tragedy before it happens. We understand some community members may question why we are focusing resources on e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motorcycles. However, our responsibility is to address emerging safety concerns before they result in a tragedy. When an officer stops a rider for a violation, that contact is an opportunity to educate, correct unsafe behavior, and, when necessary, hold the rider accountable. Focused enforcement does not mean every violation will result in a citation. Officers will consider the circumstances of each contact and may issue citations when warranted, particularly when violations are blatant, dangerous, or repeated.”

When juveniles are contacted for violations, officers may also contact parents or guardians to make them aware of the violation, the associated safety concerns, and the potential consequences of allowing unsafe or unlawful operation to continue.

This initiative does not change EPD’s commitment to addressing violent crime, property crime, burglary, drug activity, or other criminal offenses. Those priorities remain a fundamental part of the Department’s daily mission. Traffic enforcement has also proven to be an important tool in that effort. Traffic stops can lead to the identification of individuals wanted on warrants, the discovery of drug activity, and the apprehension of individuals involved in violent or property crimes.

EPD recognizes that balancing enforcement priorities is an ongoing responsibility. Officers must address serious crimes while also responding to emerging community safety concerns. Focused enforcement is one of the tools EPD can use to address dangerous behavior before someone is seriously injured.

Throughout the initiative, EPD will continue using multiple methods to educate the community, including social media, the Department’s website, public events, direct officer contacts, and enforcement stops.

Residents and riders are encouraged to learn and follow the laws governing their vehicles, obey traffic signals and stop signs, ride responsibly, and prioritize the safety of themselves and others.