A 14-year-old Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School student was sent to the hospital on Friday with non-life-threatening injuries after colliding with a vehicle in Oak Bluffs while riding an electric dirt bike, days after he had received the bike for his birthday, he told police.
The juvenile had injuries to his shoulder and knee, and was given a warning for riding the vehicle without a learner’s permit. Oak Bluffs Police consider the vehicle a moped because it travels at high speeds — this one up to 30 miles per hour — and riding a moped requires a learner’s permit.
The accident comes in the wake of police chiefs around the Island warning parents about the dangers of buying electric dirt bikes for their kids, citing an increased presence of the bikes, as well as complaints from the public about teenagers riding recklessly on Vineyard streets.
According to witness statements compiled by the Oak Bluffs Police, the 14-year-old — whose name was redacted in a police report — attempted to cross Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Road near County Road on Friday afternoon at about 2 pm. The teen explained that he saw a Jeep coming toward him and thought that the driver saw him. The teen attempted to cross the road in the crosswalk, but police noted that he was likely hidden from view behind a box truck attempting to turn onto County Road. As he crossed the street, the teen — who was wearing a helmet — collided with the side of the Jeep. Police indicated he hit headfirst into a door. The Jeep was traveling at about 35 to 40 miles per hour. Police say that there was damage on the Jeep consistent with the biker’s helmet colliding with the side of the vehicle.
When police arrived, the teen was lying in the road; he was transported to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
After explaining to the office at the hospital that he received the bike for his birthday, the teen said that he planned on returning it after the accident. The boy’s mother also told police that she was not familiar with e-bike laws.
Police noted in the report that the high school student resource officer had just given a talk to students about the dangers of electric dirt bikes and the legality surrounding them.
The title could not be more misleading. On purpose, of course. The vehicle involved in the accident was an electric dirt bike, not an e-bike. There is a huge difference. Night and day. Wake up.
Electric dirt bike = mini motorcycle
An e-bike, or, electric bike, is completely different than an electric dirt bike. You don’t agree with e-bikes so you slant the story. Nothing new here.
And then you show a picture of someone on an e-bike doing a trick. What does that have to do with the story?!! Why confuse people? Why……because you don’t like the idea of e-bikes! Get over it.
I’m curious why you are so against e-bikes when they are desirable and needed for many older folks, among others. The e-bike is a godsend for so many. Freedom.
While driving this week, I saw a kid, similar bike, with helmet, traveling alongside me on Upper Main Street, going my speed (fast on an electric bike) nearly get hit by a car ahead who turned right into a drive. Such a close call!! The kid kept up with me, if not slightly ahead, and ended his “ride,” zooming across the lawn to park his bike and hurry into the Edgartown library. I reported this to the Librarian and at the Edgartown police station. Could it have been the same kid? Maybe. Electric bikes should be banned for kids under 16.
I totally disagree I know the kid who got hit he is a friend of mine and he was on an electric bike not an electric dirtbike and I hate that they are saying that he was on an electric dirtbike he was on an electric bicycle that went 28mph I don’t see what the problem is people get in car crashes and they don’t get warnings about there cars is it because we’re kids riding these bike or something else
Your comment shows a serious misunderstanding of the law. An “electric bicycle” that does 28 mph isn’t just a harmless toy — it’s legally a motor vehicle in a lot of places, which means licensing, registration, and sometimes insurance. Mopeds need at least a permit, and pretending it’s different because you’re kids doesn’t magically change the rules. Riding on a bike path or crossing also doesn’t give you the right of way while you’re still mounted. Cars don’t get a free pass when they crash, and neither do you — the difference is you’re riding unlicensed machines at highway speeds and acting shocked when someone gets hurt. Keep calling it “just a bike” if you want, but the law — and the liability — will catch up fast.
Is there not a way to hold irresponsible parents responsible for endangering their child? We do have child endangerment laws. In this case, the 14 year old makes the decision that getting an electric dirt bike (if that’s what it was) for his birthday was a bad idea. Good for him.
I recall the incident this summer in which a mother driving a moped with her daughter on the back lost control and crashed, injuring the mother but fortunately the daughter escaped serious injury. Again: are our police powerless to issue a summons, or even arrest, for child endangerment?
As to the bigger issue with ebikes/electric dirt bikes: why is regulating their use, age restrictions, where they can be used, and enforcing speed limits beyond our ability to control?