07/22/2025
“A Tragedy on Our Roads, and a Wake-Up Call for All of Us”
By William E. Reynolds, Atlantic County Prosecutor
Last week, Atlantic County suffered a heartbreaking loss. A 14-year-old boy from Egg Harbor Township died following a crash while riding a motorized bicycle in Somers Point. He was involved in a collision with a car while crossing a roadway—a tragic outcome on what should have been just another summer evening.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office is responsible for investigating all fatal motor vehicle crashes in our county. Every one of these tragedies carries with it a devastating ripple effect—for the victim’s family, for the driver involved, for first responders, and for our entire community. But this case in particular should give every parent, policymaker, and community member pause.
A child has died, and we must ask ourselves: Could this have been prevented?
The growing popularity of e-bikes, electric scooters, and golf carts on our roads—often operated by teenagers—presents new and significant dangers. These vehicles can reach high speeds, often
without the safeguards and regulations required for cars or motorcycles. And while they may appear fun and convenient, we cannot allow their novelty to blind us to the reality: they are fast, heavy, motorized machines being operated in live traffic, often by kids who are not developmentally ready for that responsibility.
There is a critical difference between the ability to operate a motorized bike and the maturity required to navigate real-world dangers. Science makes this clear. The human brain’s decision-making center—the prefrontal cortex—doesn’t fully mature until a person’s mid-20s. This region governs impulse control, judgment, and risk assessment. So while a teenager may have the fine motor skills to ride, they simply do not yet have the cognitive tools to consistently make safe decisions under pressure.
That’s not an opinion. That’s neuroscience.
And in the real world, it has consequences.
Teens are naturally impulsive. They tend to overestimate their ability and underestimate risk.
They may choose to not wear a helmet to look cool. They may not see a blind curve, misjudge an oncoming car’s speed, or understand the rules of the road. Combine that with a vehicle capable of 20 or even 30 miles per hour, and you have a recipe for disaster.
In recent years, we have seen an alarming increase in serious crashes involving these vehicles—particularly involving young people. Some are e-bike riders who dart into intersections. Others are passengers thrown from unsecured golf carts. These aren’t isolated incidents. They are part of
a trend, one we can no longer afford to ignore.
To parents, I say this: please, reconsider before purchasing or allowing your child to operate a motorized bike or scooter. These devices are not toys. They demand training, situational awareness, and split-second decision-making in high-risk environments.
If your child is not old enough to drive a car—if they wouldn’t yet qualify for a driver’s license—why would we think they are prepared to manage these risks on two wheels?
I understand the temptation. E-bikes give teens independence. They get them to school or summer jobs. They seem safer than cars. But as we’ve seen, that’s not always the case. Without the protections of a car frame, airbags, or the right safety gear, even a minor collision can become
fatal.
There is a path forward. It starts with awareness and responsibility. We need parents to be gatekeepers. Ask yourself:
• Has my child demonstrated the maturity to handle unpredictable situations?
• Do they understand traffic patterns, visibility issues, and right-of-way rules?
• Are they consistently cautious, or are they prone to risk-taking?
If the answers are uncertain, err on the side of caution.
We also need better policy. Manufacturers and retailers must do their part to educate consumers not just sell a product.
But ultimately, this is about protecting our children. The boy who died last week should be getting ready for high school, not being mourned by his family and friends. We owe it to him, and to every
other child in our county, to take this seriously.
As Prosecutor, my job is to respond after tragedy strikes. But prevention belongs to all of us. We must act now to reduce these risks—before another family experiences the pain of a life cut short.
May this loss not be in vain. Let it be the call to action we all need.
William E. Reynolds
Atlantic County Prosecutor
