Letters to the Editor 9-7-2022
Change needed
Dear ER:
Saying the bicyclist is “at fault” (“Boy riding bike hit by car on Clark Lane, Redondo Beach, sent to ICU,” ER Aug. 18, 2022) is a gross oversimplification of the larger issue: Our street designs are also at fault, our oversized cars (trucks, SUVs) that drag people under them instead of onto their hoods are at fault; our lack of protected bike lanes and car-free streets are at fault. Road deaths are policy failures. Helmets are important, stopping at intersections is important, bike safety education is important, but drivers also need to be alert and aware, and our city engineers could work to make streets slower and safer by following best practices on roadway and intersection design. Make changes so that this doesn’t keep happening
Brianna Egan
By email
Dear ER:
A 13 year-old is not legally permitted to ride a motorcycle (“Boy hit on e-bike, woman driver yells,” ER Sept. 1, 2022). Even if he was of age, he would still need a license. The boy probably did not know all the laws he was breaking. Accidents like this are totally foreseeable. Injuries involving an electric bike are fully the responsibility of the police not enforcing laws against electric bikes and their riders. When are the police going to stop ignoring the illegal electric bike riding on the streets and The Strand?
Robert Aronoff
Hermosa Beach
It’s ebike education, stupid
Dear ER:
Without education (parents) and enforcement (local government) there won’t be any change in how ebikes (or pedal bikes for that matter) are used. Our police departments are staffed to deal with property theft, violent crime and motor vehicle violations, not bicycle violations. Another solution is needed. I’ve seen so many whacked-out ebike riders that I’m amazed we don’t see more ebike riders hurt.
David Lombard
Dear ER:
A 13 year-old is not legally permitted to ride a motorcycle (“Boy hit on e-bike, woman driver yells,” ER Sept. 1, 2022). Even if he was of age, he would still need a license. The boy probably did not know all the laws he was breaking. Accidents like this are totally foreseeable. Injuries involving an electric bike are fully the responsibility of the police not enforcing laws against electric bikes and their riders. When are the police going to stop ignoring the illegal electric bike riding on the streets and The Strand?
Robert Aronoff
Hermosa Beach
Dear ER:
Kids under 16 should have to take a course to get a permit for riding an electric bike on city streets. Everyone else needs to take a basic safety course when purchasing an ebike. Add a sticker to the drivers license to show they’ve taken the course. Pedestrians are at risk as well as other motorists when ebike operators blow off basic safety rules.
Deanna Wallo
Dear ER:
Kids should have to take Drivers Ed to have an ebike. They don’t know the traffic laws because they’ve never been through drivers ed.
Summer Svalberg
Dear ER:
I think people should be allowed to ride ebikes anywhere bicycles, are allowed as long as they aren’t moving faster than bicycles. 8 mph on The Strand is no more dangerous on an ebike than on a regular bike.
Brian Hawkins
Dear ER:
I almost got hit by a young man on an ordinary, human powered bicycle. It’s not whether it’s an ebike or not, it’s about inconsiderate people. In my case, my Tesla FSD (Full Self-Driving) hit the brakes way faster than humanly possible, avoiding the bicycle maniac shooting across the road.
Paul Nourse
Dear ER:
You wouldn’t believe the amount of hate spewed towards class 1 eMTB (electric mountain bike) riders. It’s a special kind of bigotry.
Bryan Payton
Dear ER:
They come flying through intersections with no sound. It’s a fatal accident waiting to happen. Bicycle riders need hefty fines, just like those given to auto drivers, and motorcyclists.
Tinam Blakemn
Dear ER:
I’m 60, and ride a medium speed ebike, maintaining a respectable speed where appropriate. I see a lot of younger people breaking the law, riding  the wrong way, riding out in traffic. It’s dangerous and should be stopped by law enforcement.
Troy Campbell
Dear ER:
I wonder why we even have police if they are not going to enforce the rules. It is no longer fun walking along The Strand. I walk my neighbor’s dogs and feel unsafe along The Strand, where there is no enforcement of rules.
Rosemary Graham-Gardner
Dear ER:
I have no problem with ebikes. There should be no riding bikes on sidewalks; 8 mph on The Strand; and helmets required when riding on streets. I’m seeing an increase in all bikes blowing through stop signs, which is very dangerous.
Valerie Lefranc Lee
Dear ER:
I’ve seen so many traffic laws broken, and if we accidentally hit one it’s our fault. With school starting it’s going to be extra dangerous. Do something.
Sharon Estes
Dear ER:
They are essentially motorcycles that don’t require a license to ride on the road. But I’d take them over skateboards any day.
Eric Withee
