EWA BEACH, Hawaii (KHON2) -- An E-bike and Bicycle Community Round Table was held by Councilmember Augie Tulba at 'Ilima Intermediate School to educate and spread awareness about e-bike safety.
The event started with a Bike Skills and Drills workshop hosted by the Hawai'i Bicycle League where the public was encouraged to bring their personal bikes and helmets to participate.
The workshop was then followed by the Round Table where members of the City Department of Transportation Services, Honolulu Police Department, and Councilmember Tulba spoke.
"The reason why we're doing tonight's Round Table is because in the last couple of weeks, and years, we've seen incidents with e-bikes," Councilmember Tulba said.
In 2022, a 13-year-old boy was killed after he was involved in a traffic accident while riding his e-bike in Waipahu.
Despite the bikes' popularity with the younger crowd, the minimum age to legally own an e-bike is 18, and to ride, 15.
Since the rise in popularity of the electronic bicycle, many people of all ages have taken to the motorized technology without being fully aware of the rules and regulations that come with them.
"Kids always like to drive stuff, they always like things that move and roll, but there's a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it," said Jon Nouchi the Deputy Director Department of Transportation Services for the city and county of Honolulu.
A helmet is also required for any bike rider under the age of 16, and "packing" or having multiple passengers on an e-bike is prohibited.
"After being in office for almost four years, I honestly believe the more education, the more information we give the community, the better informed right? So they can make good decisions. And one good decision, is wearing your helmet," Councilmember Tulba said.
For those who could not attend the event today, bike safety informational videos are available on Councilmember Tilba's website.