E-Bike Information

E-Bikes – Before Purchasing One, Or If You Already Have one – Safety Is Important!

While you can’t control everything, adhering to some essential safety tips can increase your odds of having a safer ride. Let’s take a look at this list of eBike safety tips that everyone should know:

9 eBike safety tips everyone should know – Bike.com

Helmets are a Must…and More

(29) Electric Bike Safety Tips for Riding – YouTube

E-Bike Laws in the State of California

Electric Bicycle Laws & Safety Tips

California Laws Regarding Electric Bicycles

An electric bicycle is not a motor vehicle, so license, registration, and insurance laws do not apply to electric bikes. In California, electric bikes are to be operated like standard bicycles, except that:

• you must be at least 16 years old
• you must wear a helmet at all times

Electric bike motors must have a power output of less than 1,000 watts and be incapable of going faster than 20 miles per hour on level ground. They also must be incapable of going faster than 20 miles per hour at top speed with the motor going AND the driver pedaling the bike.

The electric bicycle must be designed so that:

• When the brakes are applied, the motor stops functioning, OR
• The motor operates when a switch or mechanism is engaged, and when that switch or mechanism is released, the engine stops functioning.

Drinking and driving laws do apply to electric bicycles.

Electric bikes may not be used on dedicated bicycle paths unless they are within or adjacent to a roadway or are allowed by a government ordinance.

More laws may apply to electric bicycles, so check your city and county ordinances.

More Safety Tips for Electric Bicycles

Here are some safety tips for e-bike riders from electricbikereport.com:

1. ALWAYS wear a helmet. No exceptions.
2. Make sure your bike has front and rear lights and reflective stickers.
3. Finally, wear bright, reflective clothing.
4. Install a horn so that motorists can see you coming. Bicyclists and even motorcycles can be quiet and easily lost in a motorist’s blind spot.
5. Find safe routes – preferably less traveled roads and pathways that allow electric bikes.
6. Ride defensively. Don’t assume anyone can see or hear you. Instead, anticipate what drivers and pedestrians might do and act accordingly. At the risk of seeming annoyed, beep your horn to let people know you’re there. And remember, cars make mistakes, too – they don’t always use their turn signals, so be alert, cautious, and prepare for the worst.
7. Beware of parked cars. As we saw above, even these can threaten e-bike riders. Besides, someone could open their car door as you pass or pull out of their parking spot without looking.
8. Look out for other bicyclists. They don’t always light up at night or may dart out in front of you.
9. Let pedestrians know you’re coming with an announcement of “On your left!” or a beep of the horn. Always slow down when approaching pedestrians.
10. Your bike wheels are unprepared for potholes or cracks, so slow down and avoid them.
11. Loose gravel, snow, and ice (not too big of a worry here in Orange County) and wetness can be risky too. So slow down, be cautious, and avoid those conditions if possible.

Let’s prevent these unnecessary injuries and deaths from electric bike collisions. Be safe, e-bike riders!

The Critical Risks of Fentanyl Poisoning – It’s Killing Kids/Teens

There’s a growing crisis across the country, and most parents are still unaware of the dangers to their kids.

Fentanyl poisoning is killing kids — in every neighborhood and school.

There are too many stories in the news featuring young people killed by fentanyl poisoning. But, unfortunately, it’s not just happening to kids you think are ‘bad’ or ‘troubled.’ It’s happening in middle schools across America.

The Risks of Fentanyl Poisoning To Teens – NaturalHigh.org

The following link relates to the Fentanyl issue in a news story that occurred Friday evening, November 4, 2022. The responding officers had been trained to use NARCAN; without it, the two teens would have died.

https://abc7.com/los-angeles-sheriffs-department-teens-given-narcan-duarte-teenangers-rescued/12421348/

CDC – Centers for Disease Control

DEA Warns of Brightly-Colored Fentanyl Used to Target Young Americans

DEA Warns of Brightly-Colored Fentanyl Used to Target Young Americans

Be Informed When it Comes to the Dangers of Drugs

Information from the Experts:

DEA – Drug Enforcement Administration

Fentanyl Awareness (dea.gov)

https://www.dea.gov/factsheets

CDC – Centers for Disease Control

https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/polysubstance-use/

The FACTS About Fentanyl

https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. As a result, it is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S.

There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Both are considered synthetic opioids. Doctors prescribe pharmaceutical fentanyl to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related overdose are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. In addition, it is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous.

*The Critical Risks of Fentanyl Poisoning – It’s Killing Kids

The Risks of Fentanyl Poisoning To Teens – NaturalHigh.org

Help Prevent Drowsy Driving

Each year, there are approximately 100,000 car crashes and 1,500 deaths caused by drowsy driving. To help spread awareness on this issue, a recently published article explains common warning signs, who may be at risk, and tips on preventing drowsy driving. 

You can find it here: https://sleepopolis.com/education/drowsy-driving/

Driving Safety Reminder – In California, you cannot use a cell phone or similar electronic communication device while holding it in your hand. You can only use it hands-free, such as speakerphone or voice commands, but never while holding it. In addition, any driver under the age of 18 is prohibited from using a cell phone for any reason.

It’s estimated that nine (9) people in the United States are killed every day in crashes that are reported to involve a “distracted driver.” Distracted driving is doing another activity that takes the driver’s attention away from driving. Distracted driving can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash. (I know this personally, I’ve been hit three times by people on cellphones.)

There are three types of driving distractions:
Anything that takes your attention away from driving can be a distraction. Sending a text message, talking on a cell phone, using a navigation system, and eating while driving are a few examples of distracted driving. These distractions can endanger you, your passengers, and others on the road.

There are three main types of distraction:
Visual: Taking your eyes off the road
Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel
Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving

Distracted driving impacts thousands of Americans each year in the United States. Over 3,100 people were killed, and about 424,000 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2019. About 1 in 5 of the people who died in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019 were not in vehicles – they were walking, riding their bikes, or otherwise outside a vehicle.

For more life-saving information on “safe driving” schedule a safe driving talk for your company, military group, community group, college group, or high school, visit www.monicazech.com or email me directly at [email protected].

I am also available for your safety fair with a table full of safe driving materials.