It is a familiar sight on our roads: a small group of teenagers on electric bikes, swerving through traffic, overtaking cars and laughing as they disappear around a bend. To some, it may look harmless — just kids having fun. But one wrong turn, one moment of overconfidence and that laughter could be replaced by sirens.

Recently, a video circulated online showing young teens racing down a main road on e-bikes. The caption read: “There’s going to be a serious accident at some point.”

That statement should stop every one of us in our tracks because it’s true, and it could involve someone we know.

Under the Auxiliary Bicycles Act 1954, no one under 16 is legally permitted to ride an e-bike on Bermuda’s roads. Those aged 16 to 18 must hold a youth licence, cannot carry passengers, and are restricted from riding between 1am and 5am.

Helmets are mandatory under the Motorcycles and Auxiliary Bicycles (Special Measures of Control) Act 1953. These rules exist not to punish, but to protect. Yet every day, we see underage and unlicensed riders breaking them; often on high-powered bikes capable of reaching motorcycle speeds.

Parents and guardians who allow this may not realise the risks they are taking until it is too late. None of us want to receive that phone call — the one that begins with, “there’s been an accident”.

Enforcement is not the be-all and end-all; the responsibility begins with all of us. Retailers and importers of e-bikes must ensure that no one under 16 is permitted to test, purchase or be the intended rider. Every sale should come with a signed agreement confirming that the buyer understands the legal age requirements and will ensure only licensed riders use the bike. Just as liquor stores must verify age and pharmacies must confirm prescriptions, e-bike dealers should be held accountable for confirming that their products will not end up in the hands of minors.

This is not about blame; it’s about shared responsibility. If we all take ownership, from parents to sellers to law enforcement, we can prevent tragedy before it happens — because what begins as fun can end in heartbreak.

The Road Traffic Act 1947 makes it a criminal offence to ride recklessly or dangerously; that includes overtaking on blind corners, speeding or riding without due care. These are not minor infractions. If a young person is seriously injured or, worse, if they injure someone else, the consequences can last a lifetime.

E-bikes are not toys. They are motorised vehicles, which means they carry real power and real danger when mishandled.

The Bermuda Police Service and the Bermuda Road Safety Council have warned about this rising issue, but enforcement alone will not solve it. Education and awareness must work hand in hand with the law. Project Ride exists to prepare young people for the roads, yet too many are not participating. Parents must take an active role, schools can reinforce the message, and the police must intervene when minors are caught riding illegally.

While the laws are clear, what’s less visible is consistent enforcement. Many in our community are unsure whether e-bike regulations are being applied with the same seriousness as those for motor vehicles. The result is a growing perception that riders can operate with little oversight. This perception alone undermines respect for the law and fuels unsafe behaviour. Our enforcement agencies need the tools, resources and public backing to ensure that every rider regardless of age or bike type is held to the same standard of safety and responsibility.

We should also have an honest conversation as a community about how we have become too comfortable with what we call “just bad habits”.

The reality is that one bad habit on a 50km/h e-bike can end a young life.

Imagine for a moment if the rider in that video was your child, your cousin or your neighbour. Would you still think of it as harmless? Would you still shrug it off as “just kids being kids”?

Electric mobility is part of Bermuda’s future and a promising one at that. E-bikes can reduce congestion, lower emissions and make travel more affordable. But without structure, accountability and respect for the law, they can just as easily become a public hazard. We must update our legislation to distinguish between pedal-assist commuter bikes and high-powered motorised ones, while maintaining strict age and safety requirements.

But more than anything, we must change our mindset. Safety is not just a rule; it is a culture. It’s the decision to value life over convenience, responsibility over recklessness, and prevention over regret.

We cannot wait for another headline, another vigil, another life lost on Bermuda’s roads. The time to act is now. I urge the transport ministry, the Bermuda Police Service and the Bermuda Road Safety Council to work together on a co-ordinated response that includes enforcement, education and retail accountability.

And to parents, I say this with urgency: if your child is under 16, do not let them ride an e-bike. It is not just illegal, it could be the worst decision of your life.

Bermuda is too small to lose another young person to something so preventable. Let’s do what we can, while we still can.

• Maurice Foley, a community advocate and former senator, was the One Bermuda Alliance candidate for St David’s (Constituency 3) in the February 2025 General Election