Spark Police reported there has been a significant increase in e-bike, dirt bike and small motorcycle crashes this year compared to last year.
Just over the past few months, there have been more crashes involving these types of bikes - one that killed someone in South Lake Tahoe, and another one in Sparks that seriously injured a person.
Officer Jen Bader, the Public Information Officer for the Sparks Police Department, mentions, "Last night we had a juvenile get struck by a vehicle who was riding one of the e-bikes, and unfortunately that juvenile sustained some serious injuries and was in the hospital for them. And we would like to raise some awareness of that because these are totally avoidable incidents that we don't want to continue to see happening."
Police say riders can be safer when they wear the right gear - like helmets, eyeglass protection, and close-toed shoes - and if you're riding at night, it's always a good idea to wear reflective clothing because the lights on small motorcycles are not bright enough.
With the weather getting nicer, police say more people are expected to be on the roadways.
Sergeant Shawn Congdon, the Traffic Sergeant for the Sparks Police Department, says, "A reminder to other motorists out there: Always be alert and check your surroundings before making a lane change. You might not hear them travelling next to you, so it's very important that you check your mirrors and look over your shoulders before a lane change to make sure you don't crash into a cyclist or a motorcycle."
Sergeant Congdon says most of these accidents are happening on major roadways.
"Obviously there can be a number of reasons why this is occurring, but the number one is there's more traffic on our roadways. So anytime that you throw more vehicles, more cyclists, and more motorcyclists out on any given roadway, the potential for a crash to occur goes up substantially."
But they have noticed residential areas with illegal riders on the roads as well.
Sergeant Congdon continues, "With the uptick in heat and school being out, we're going to be out enforcing; especially in the Spanish Springs area, trying to educate the juveniles who are out here riding e-bikes and motorcycles and letting them know that it is illegal."
Riders who are caught could receive a citation or have their bikes impounded.
Officer Bader reminds everyone, "With more people out on these bikes and not paying attention to their surroundings and not operating them legally, we do see an uptick in accidents just because there is a higher amount of these people out."
Police are asking that parents educate their children and hold them responsible when they're out on the roads during the summer months.
Sergeant Congdon tells us, "They need to know that it is illegal to ride electric motorcycles and dirt bikes on the City of Sparks roadways. We need your help. We can't be everywhere at once. We need you to work with us so we don't have any deaths on our roadways involving your children."
Officer Bader mentions, "If you are giving your kid a dirt bike, an e-bike, or an electric motorcycle—any of those—please make sure they know how to operate it."
She adds, "We want the kids to pay attention and really listen to the hazards of riding these bikes unprotected and in the roadway, but mostly to the parents: Pay attention to what your kids are doing."
The purpose of these conversations is to avoid tragedy in the future and protect kids and the community.
If you are operating a dirt bike or an e-bike that is over 1500 watts, they are illegal to operate on the roadways.
Officer Bader says, "This is totally avoidable, and to parents, I want to urge you to pay attention to your kids, and if you're not doing that, your kids are going to get hurt."
