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Brookhaven police urge education and helmet use in broad e‑bike safety presentation
Summary
Brookhaven Police presented e‑bike safety guidance for residents, outlined class and power distinctions (motor power capped at 750 watts), emphasized helmet use and community education, and said local sidewalk use is limited to riders 12 and younger; council members pressed on outreach and enforcement.
Brookhaven Police led an extended presentation on e‑bike safety during the Oct. 9 work session, emphasizing education, community partnerships and enforcement limits.
"The most important thing is to know the rules," said Sergeant Moore of the Police Department’s Community Engagement Unit. He summarized the three vehicle classes often applied to electric bicycles, noted motor power is capped at 750 watts, and said class‑specific speeds and age limits apply. "We are not against e‑bikes — we just want everybody to be safe," he said.
Moore described planned outreach including bilingual (English/Spanish) safety videos, bicycle rodeos with partners such as Go Georgia and the local bike alliance, and school visits that teach helmet fitting and pedestrian awareness. He advised that many safety issues are best addressed by community education and invited HOAs and neighborhoods to request tailored presentations.
On rules and enforcement, Moore said Brookhaven’s municipal code does not allow e‑bikes on certain trails; sidewalk riding is permitted for young riders (age 12 and under) but remains subject to pedestrian safety. For higher‑powered vehicles traveling at speeds above typical e‑bike limits, Moore said they are effectively dirt bikes and should be reported to police.
Council members asked how safety information reaches buyers who purchase online rather than at retail dealers. "When you're buying online, it's pretty much up to the parents to go ahead and make that decision to go further to figure out what the safety measures are," Moore replied, encouraging proactive community outreach.
At least one council member cited a recent local tragedy to underline the stakes: "There was, unfortunately, a child that was a junior in high school that died in City of Atlanta a few weeks ago on one of these," said Council Member Madeline Simmons, calling the presentation timely.
What’s next: the police will continue outreach and education and will present updated micro‑mobility and golf cart guidance in the city’s knowledge‑management materials; council members were invited to request neighborhood presentations.
