Blue Earth County authorities see increase in E-Bike/Scooter incidents

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Law enforcement is warning against dangerous e-bike and e-scooter use, especially by kids.

The Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office posted a social media graphic detailing the laws around the vehicles in response to an uptick in reported incidents and the growing popularity of the vehicles.

The office reported an increase in incidents involving e-bikes and scooters since school was let out for summer but emphasized that problems around them aren’t exclusive to younger people.

“Limit it to one person only unless it’s intended to have somewhere for a passenger. Speeds is a big thing, where to operate them on roadways or the sidewalks, it all depends on which one you’re riding on, where you can ride it,“ Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Mitch Gahler said.

Police want parents to be active in enforcing safe use, and the sheriff’s office said that their priority is education, especially when it comes to kids.

“If we see someone that’s not operating it appropriately, we’ll stop and make contact with them and educate them on the rules and the laws of e-bikes or e-scooters and also have communication with their parents or family members so that way they can spread that communication as well,“ Gahler said.

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