Baltimore, MD - May 19, 2026 -  It’s a familiar sight on sidewalks and streets throughout our community: a teenager zipping silently past on an electric scooter, weaving through traffic or dodging pedestrians with a flick of the wrist. Whether they are heading to a friend’s house or rushing to Shul for davening/learning, these "e-mobility" devices have become a staple of local teen life.

While these scooters are convenient, a new safety awareness campaign in New York is sounding a loud alarm about a growing trend of "scooter entitlement" among young riders. In NYC, officials recently launched a sobering campaign with the tagline:
“One Choice Can Change Everything. You Can’t Rewind a Crash.”

While the campaign videos are often too graphic for our community platform, the message is urgent: the streets are a shared space, and a "rules don't apply to me" attitude is a recipe for disaster.

The Local Reality: A Close Call Away

Fortunately, Baltimore has not yet seen the volume of serious incidents reported in New York. However, local residents are noticing more "close calls," particularly during peak community hours.

"We see it often -boys trying to beat the clock to make it to Minyan, zipping across intersections without looking," noted one community observer. "The speed they reach is significant, and because they are silent, drivers and/or pedestrains often don't see or hear them until it’s almost too late."

“Boruch Hashem, here in Baltimore we have not yet seen the level of serious e-scooter injuries and tragedies that other cities are experiencing, and we hope we never do,” said Elimelech Goldstein, President of Hatzalah of Baltimore. “But we are absolutely seeing more risky behavior, close calls, and situations that could easily end very differently. These scooters may seem harmless, but when operated at high speeds, without helmets, through traffic, or without regard for traffic laws, they can become extremely dangerous in seconds. We strongly encourage parents to have open conversations with their children about safety, awareness, and responsibility before an avoidable tragedy occurs.”

The Problem: "Invisible" Speed and Ignored Rules

Safety advocates highlight three major "blind spots" in teen rider behavior:

• Pedestrian Disregard: At 15 -20 mph, an e-scooter moves too fast for a pedestrian - especially seniors or young children walking to shul or anywhere - to react to a sudden approach from behind.
• Traffic Signal "Amnesty": There is a growing misconception that because a scooter isn't a car, it doesn't have to stop at red lights. In Maryland, an e-scooter is a motorized vehicle and is legally required to follow the flow of traffic.
• The "Silent" Danger: Unlike a motorcycle, e-scooters are nearly silent. This is especially dangerous in residential areas where neighbors may be backing out of driveways or just taking a walk.    

By the Numbers: The Risk to Our Youth

Recent data from pediatric trauma centers shows a sharp rise in e-scooter injuries among minors:

• Over 70% of recorded injuries involve riders aged 17 and under.
• The most common injuries include fractures, dislocations, and traumatic brain injuries.
• Safety experts recommend that children under 16 should not operate high-powered electric scooters due to the judgment and motor skills required.

The "Kitchen Table" Talk: What to Tell Your Kids

Experts suggest that instead of banning the devices, parents should focus on "Road Literacy." These points should be non-negotiable before a teen takes a scooter out:

• You Are a Vehicle, Not a Pedestrian: Motorized devices belong in the bike lane or on the far right of the road - not weaving through people on the sidewalk.
• The "Eye Contact" Rule: Assume every driver is distracted. Before crossing an intersection, make eye contact with the driver to ensure they see you.
• Ditch the Headphones: Riding with earbuds in makes it impossible to hear an approaching car or a pedestrian’s warning.
• The 15 MPH Reality: Falling at 15 mph is equivalent to falling off a one-story building. A helmet isn't a "fashion choice"; it’s the only thing between a fun ride and a life-altering injury.

A Call for Community Responsibility

The goal isn't to take the fun out of the ride, but to ensure that our community’s streak of safety continues. By treating e-scooters with the same respect as a car, our teens can enjoy their independence without endangering themselves or their neighbors.