The sidewalks of Crown Heights are always bustling with strollers, shoppers, and the elderly. When electric scooters and fast-moving bicycles are added to the mix, the risk of collisions skyrockets. Community safety leaders are pleading with parents to educate their children on proper riding etiquette before letting them cruise down Kingston Avenue.
“We have to teach them the proper way to drive bikes and scooters in a safe manner, and a huge part of that is learning not to hit pedestrians,” explains Yaakov Prager, coordinator of Crown Heights Shmirah. “A scooter moving at top speed on a crowded sidewalk is incredibly dangerous for the rider and for anyone stepping out of a store.”
Prager stresses that visibility and basic traffic rules are just as vital as defensive riding. “Children must be taught to look both ways before crossing streets, without exception,” notes Yanky Prager, founder of Crown Heights Chaverim. “Furthermore, they need to have lights and reflectors on their bikes and scooters so they’re visible and people can see them, especially during the shorter winter days.”
Community leaders remind parents that while our neighborhoods are tight-knit, safety requires active participation. “We outfit our kids with lights, we teach them to respect pedestrians, and we make sure they look both ways,” said Yaakov Prager. “We put in our maximum physical effort, knowing that at the end of the day, Hashem protects the community and guides their paths.”
