Aug. 27—OGDENSBURG — Ogdensburg police and the Ogdensburg City School District will be partnering up to educate children in grades 3-6 on e-bike rules and safety.
At the City Council meeting on Monday, Police Chief Mark Kearns made a presentation on e-bikes, which have grown in popularity among youth and adults. Kearns said that School Resource Officers (SROs) within the school district will be conducting bicycle safety and e-bike safety and education in the district’s two elementary schools at Madill and Kennedy.
E- bikes, which are bicycles with an electric assist that travel up to 30 mph, have created an issue in the city with some users not abiding by traffic laws and signage.
Kearns explained that each e-bike has a classification on them. Class 1 e-bike means that you have to pedal to get them going. A Class 2 can start on its own with an electric assist, and Class 3 e-bikes, while you have to pedal to get going, can travel up to 30 mph.
A Class 3 e-bike cannot be used in a city with a population less than 1 million, according to the police chief.
“So technically a Class 3 e-bike cannot be used in Ogdensburg,” he told councilors.
Legally, those younger than 16 years old are not supposed to operate any class e-bikes at all.
“This is a big one. You have to be over the age of 16 to operate any of these e-bikes. So, I am sure its going to be a big Christmas present out there for a lot of kids. They are very popular but our children cannot be riding them off of their own private property,” Kearns said. “They cannot be operated on the city streets at all if you are under the age of 16, according to the New York State Traffic Law.”
However, those under 16 cannot be issued a ticket for their operation and parents can only be issued a ticket if they are present during the time of the violation.
Kearns reported that e-bike riders ages 16 and older are subject to traffic tickets that are answerable in local courts.
No license is needed and no registration is required for e-bikes.
Kearns reported that e-bike operators do not have to wear a helmet, unless it’s a Class 3 e-bike, and signal lights are not required.
Operators must follow bicycle equipment standards, however. Reflectors are needed on their front and back and lights are required when operating at night.
Kearns said that the Municipal Code is in need of changes, especially Chapter 147 — Parental Responsibility, which does not include any traffic violations that the e-bikes would fall under.
In other City Council business, a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s State Homeland Security Grant Program was accepted. No local share was required.
“This funding is provided to enhance and sustain your jurisdiction’s cybersecurity posture as well as ensure that your information systems are secured and protected from cyber incidents through equipment, training, exercise and planning projects,” wrote Jackie Bray, commissioner of state Homeland Security and Emergency Services, which administers the federal grant.