In Stoughton, Wisconsin, a tragic e-bike incident has prompted a father to advocate for greater awareness of potential dangers associated with electric vehicles. This incident has sparked discussions on road safety, highlighting the growing concerns surrounding e-bikes and e-scooters.
A recent press conference brought together members of the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission, UW Health, and affected families to share personal stories and present data on the increasing number of crashes and injuries involving electric vehicles.
Law enforcement officials have noted a troubling rise in complaints regarding the unsafe operation of e-bikes and e-scooters, correlating with a spike in related accidents.
The emotional recount of Garrett Cline’s accident was shared by his father, Jamie Cline, who expressed regret over purchasing the e-bike. Garrett suffered severe injuries in August 2023 when he collided with a parked car while riding near the road’s curb.
According to Jamie Cline, “Garrett was riding close to the curb of the road, away from street traffic. He simply turned around to see the location of his friend on the bike and when he turned around he turned that gap distance between him and the parked car, that is when his life changed.”
The incident required a six-hour emergency surgery for Garrett, who sustained injuries including a broken orbital eye socket and a fractured jaw. “Garrett had a broken orbital eye socket, broken jaw, amongst other nerve damages and all that,” Jamie Cline stated. “I can’t thank the surgeon and the whole medical team enough for what they did.”
Officials cite increases in crashes and injuries
Efforts to address the safety concerns are underway, as mentioned by Stoughton Police Department Lt. Chad O’Neil, who is involved in data collection and prevention initiatives. He highlighted that from 2022 to 2025, there was a 260% increase in reported e-scooter crashes in Wisconsin, emphasizing the significance of this statistic.
Data from UW Health indicated that during April and May of this year, 36 emergency visits were recorded for individuals under 18 due to electric vehicle mishaps. Lt. O’Neil advises parents to ensure their children use safety gear, understand road rules, and know where they can legally ride.
He stated, “I think a lot of parents are just naive to the fact that it’s considered a toy when in fact it’s not. As we heard, some of these devices go up to 28 miles an hour.”
Family says impacts continue years later
The repercussions of the crash continue to affect Garrett’s life, with Jamie Cline noting the bullying his son faced due to his scars, prompting him to switch to online schooling. Jamie Cline shared, “I wish I could turn back the clock and the accident were to have never happened, but I can’t. All I can do is share this event with you and encourage you to have a talk with your kids.”
Police urge families to learn local rules
Authorities emphasized the necessity of understanding local regulations regarding electric vehicles, as rules vary by municipality. Additionally, they clarified that e-motos, or dirt bikes, are prohibited on roads but can be used on private property.
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Original Story at www.wmtv15news.com