Jump bikes hit Samo's streets

Each morning, Samo students witness an abundance of bright red JUMP bikes and multiple electric scooters parked alongside the 7th and Michigan gate. Emerging in Sept. of 2017, the vehicles have quickly taken a liking to Santa Monica’s locals, as seen through the growing number of electric bikes and scooters scattered throughout the city. Bird scooters and JUMP bikes have dispersed themselves throughout the country, proving popular among youth who search for alternate ways to commute around town. With increased use, the number of accidents have risen as well. Riders often forgo abiding by the laws written to enforce safety, which has sparked an increase in rentable electric vehicle accidents. Samo students often resort to the use of these vehicles when in need of an easily accessible method of transportation. With an app and a scannable QR code, the electric bikes and scooters have well integrated themselves into the digital realm, making them even more accesible to students. Andres Wladich (’21) has found JUMP bikes to be a convenient alternative when he cannot receive a ride from a parent or friend. “My usual form of transportation to school is usually my father’s car. However, when he is unable to take me, I check my phone to see if there are any JUMP bikes within a 100 foot radius. I find the bikes to be very fun and even affordable when I need to get somewhere quickly,” Wladich said. JUMP scooters ride up to 15 mph, while the bikes can go 20 mph, increasing the chance of accidents, especially when coupled with a negligent driver. Riders often fail to incorporate safety tools such as wearing helmets and following traffic laws, and in recent months, multiple accidents involving teens using these vehicles have occurred. At 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 12, a local high school student was riding a JUMP bike down Santa Monica Blvd. when he was struck by a Mini Cooper. Although he survived the accident, he remained hospitalized for mulitple weeks.  On Nov. 20, David Hix (’22), was riding home from practice when he experienced the brakes on his JUMP bike tightening, preventing him from stopping with ease. Hix then came in close contact with a car and although the car stopped, he was unable to brake without skidding across the street, leaving him trapped underneath in a compromising position.  “I still like them and I’m still going to use them, but it was a scary experience,” Hix said.  Safety laws for the utilization of the bikes and scooters have been in place since the genesis of Bird and Uber’s JUMP machines. The laws used to require wearing a helmet, a valid driver’s license proving one is 18 years or older, no more than one rider and riding on the streets rather than sidewalks. Back in 2018, Governor Jerry Brown passed a bill retracting the requirement of wearing a helmet for those 18 years and older, while the city of Santa Monica has also altered the law requiring a license so that a rider no longer has to be 18, but must only have a license. This enables licensed 16 and 17 year olds to ride.