JACKSON, Wyo. — Jackson Hole Fire/EMS has responded to four e-bike incidents with injuries in the last three days, and a calculated media push from four agencies is aiming to reach parents, pathway users, and drivers.
JH Fire/EMS posted to social media on Wednesday, saying that there had been three responses to e-bike incidents in the past two days. On Thursday, Deputy Chief Brian Coe told Buckrail that another incident had occurred later Wednesday afternoon. Three of the four accidents occurred at intersections and involved a vehicle. Coe said the fourth incident was caused by improper use of the bike.
“It’s definitely concerning,” Coe said. “One person was on the back, and it was not designed for two-person occupancy. Someone got caught up in the wheel.”
Three of the four injured riders were transported to the hospital. According to Coe, a couple of the accidents involved minors. He is hoping the community takes this opportunity to discuss the seriousness of safety precautions like following the rules of the road, wearing a helmet, and controlling the bike’s speed.
He said that nice weather and busier roads are “pushing a lot of people to use the pathways.” He noted that bikes must follow the same rules of the road as cars, and he said that cyclists must know the rules in order to follow them. Using an e-bike as intended is part of the safety messaging, as well as adhering to a basic speed rule: Travel at a safe speed for conditions and ability of the rider. Coe stressed the importance of drivers taking a look around before accelerating after a stop sign — accidents can easily happen between a vehicle and a cyclist going in the same direction.
Coe said that Friends of Pathways (FOP), the Town of Jackson (TOJ), and the Teton County School District are all working to get safety messaging out in front of the community. He emphasized the need for parents to be involved and have discussions with their school-aged children.
FOP’s press release urges drivers, students and the community as a whole to use extra caution on local streets. Drivers are encouraged to slow down near schools, in neighborhoods, at pathway crossings, at intersections and on downtown streets.
“These incidents are a serious reminder that kids are moving faster, farther, and more independently than ever before,” FOP Executive Director Katherine Dowson said via press release. “E-bikes can be a great way for young people to get around, but they also require more vigilance from all of us — including adults behind the wheel.”
While FOP strongly supports the need for e-bike users to obey traffic laws, show signal intentions, and control speed, the organization also asks adults on the road to respond with patience rather than frustration.
“When something unexpected happens, that is not the moment to honk, yell, accelerate, or threaten,” FOP wrote. “That’s the moment to be the adult on the road.”
TOJ posted to Facebook on Thursday sharing rules of the road for cyclists. The post states that under Wyoming law, bicycles are considered vehicles and are subject to the same laws as cars. This means that bikes are required to fully stop at stop signs, follow the correct direction of traffic (even when riding inside the bollards), and refrain from riding on sidewalks, which are reserved for pedestrians.
“Jackson Hole’s pathway system is one of the community’s greatest assets,” FOP closed. “Everyone needs to do their part to keep these networks safe and enjoyable.”
