Basseterre, St. Kitts – As electric bicycles and stand-up electric scooters become an increasingly common sight on St. Kitts’ public roadways, the Royal St. Kitts and Nevis Police Force has rolled out a refreshed public safety campaign to alert all road users to the life-threatening risks posed by unregulated, irresponsible operation of these lightweight personal mobility devices. While law enforcement officials acknowledged that e-bikes and e-scooters fill a valuable niche as low-cost, convenient short-distance transport options for local residents and visitors, they emphasized that widespread non-compliance with basic road safety norms has created a growing hazard that endangers riders, pedestrians, and licensed motor vehicle operators alike. Law enforcement safety analysts outlined a list of high-risk behaviors that have been linked to a rising number of near-misses and reported collisions in recent months: riders travelling at excessive speeds far beyond the safe limit for lightweight two-wheeled devices, sudden, unannounced lane weaving through moving traffic, riders moving against the flow of oncoming vehicles, operating devices without functional front lights, rear reflectors or brake systems, and the vast majority of riders skipping the use of certified, properly fitted protective helmets. Compounding these risks, police noted, is the small profile of most e-bikes and e-scooters, which makes them far less visible to car and truck drivers, especially at unmarked intersections and after dark when low visibility conditions already reduce driver reaction time. Even low-speed collisions between a 50-pound e-scooter and a full-size passenger vehicle can result in catastrophic, life-altering injuries for the rider, while the common practice of operating these devices on crowded sidewalks puts unsuspecting pedestrians, including elderly residents and young children, at high risk of painful falls and impact injuries. The police force’s new public advisory lays out clear, actionable rules for e-bike and e-scooter operators: adhere to all posted traffic signs and signal lights, travel in the same direction as surrounding motor vehicle traffic, keep speeds low enough to react to unexpected road hazards, never weave between moving lanes of traffic, wear a certified safety helmet at all times, verify that brakes, lights and reflectors are fully functional before every trip, and never use a handheld mobile phone while operating the device. The advisory also specifically targets parents and legal guardians, urging them to implement close supervision for underage users of e-bikes and e-scooters, and to prohibit children from operating these devices on busy main roads or in high-traffic conditions that exceed their level of driving experience. For licensed motorists, police are calling for extra vigilance: reduce speed in areas where e-bike and e-scooter use is common, leave a minimum of three feet of clear space when passing a two-wheeled mobility device, and conduct a full mirror and blind spot check before making a turn or opening a vehicle door to avoid striking a passing rider. In a key policy update shared alongside the safety warning, the police force confirmed that draft national legislation to create a formal, standardized regulatory framework for e-bike and e-scooter operation is currently under interagency review. Specific details of the upcoming rules – which are expected to cover device safety standards, minimum rider age requirements, possible registration protocols and permitted travel zones – will be released to the general public for consultation as the legislative drafting process moves forward. Until the new regulations are formally enacted, law enforcement officials are calling on every member of the travelling public to prioritize caution, make responsible choices on the road, and show consideration for the safety of all other people using public thoroughfares.