ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — A new safety initiative to combat e-bike, e-scooter and e-moto devices was announced Thursday by the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
Dubbed "Operation C.A.R.E.," the new safety campaign is geared to parents and families as a means to prevent accidents and clarify traffic laws before the high-speed devices are purchased.
"Across Anne Arundel County, community members and officers have reported a sharp increase in high-speed riding of these electric micromobility vehicles on pedestrian sidewalks, reckless use on community trails, and unlicensed minors driving powerful, unregistered e-motos on roadways without protective gear," the department said in a release.
"Because traditional traffic stops can inadvertently create dangerous situations for young riders, Operation C.A.R.E. prioritizes education and family partnerships over citations."
As part of the campaign, the department will be organizing various outreach programs through the end of the year. Those efforts include:
Anne Arundel County Police are urging families to ensure children regularly wear safety gear and establish a clear understanding of trail courtesy and pedestrian right-of-way protocols.
Families are also being encouraged to verify the wattage, top speeds and classification of any such electric or motorized vehicles.
"Many parents buy popular e-motos assuming they are low-speed, pedal-assist bicycles. In reality, many models reach speeds comparable to traditional dirt bikes and are legally classified as unregistered motorcycles," the release reads.
"Under Maryland law, unlicensed minors cannot legally or safely operate these high-powered e-motos on public roadways, sidewalks, or county parks and trails."
"High-powered e-motos without pedals or VIN registration cannot be operated on public streets, sidewalks, or trails," it adds.
Residents with questions about the high-speed devices, trail rules or education materials can contact the department's media relations division at mrd@aacounty.org.
The department's program was announced days after 14-year-old Ryan Beales, a freshman at Severna Park High School, was killed while riding an e-moto on the B&A Trail.
Beales, who had been wearing a helmet, crashed into the side of a Dodge Ram truck when he entered Robinson Road in the Severna Park area.
Related: 14-Year-Old Boy Dies After Motorized Bike Crashes Into Truck In Severna Park
Authorities told CBS Baltimore that the e-moto device was "not a street legal vehicle" and that they weren't sure how fast Beales had been traveling at the time of the crash.
Depending on the wattage, e-motos have the capability of traveling anywhere between 15 mph and 60 mph.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help support the Beales family.
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