
PARAMARIBO - “The use of e-bikes, fat bikes and e-scooters by youths has increased,” said youth counselors Dwight Samuel and Anouskha Plet. Samuel and Plet...

expressed their concern over the fact that every day they spot many youths in traffic on e-bikes, fat bikes and e-scooters. “It is alarming to see that parents give minors an e-bike, fat bike or e-scooter to ride even though they do not know the traffic rules and regulations. I often see children dressed in the uniform of the primary school with 2 smaller children sitting on the back seat of their e-bike, fat bike or e-scooter when they ride to school and I find it very dangerous,” Plet said. Plet and Samuel deem it regrettable that legislators pass many laws but that they fail to pass a law on e-bikes. They made it clear that rules are needed and that there must also be an age requirement for riding e-bikes, fat bikes and e-scooters. “I deem it unacceptable to let children who are younger than 15 years ride an e-bike, fat bike and e-scooter. It is very dangerous especially given the fact that e-bikes do not produce any sound. I also urged parents not to buy an e-bike, fat bike or e-scooters for their young children,” said Samuel who added that parents do not seem to realize that there are many dangers in traffic. Plet wants the same rules and requirements that apply to moped riders to also apply to people who want to ride an e-bike. She wants people who ride an e-bike, fat bike or e-scooter to also be required to wear a helmet. Justice and Police Minister Harish Monorath had also expressed his concern regarding the fact that young children are popping up in traffic on e-bikes, fat bikes and e-scooters.

