Town of Babylon cracks down on e-bikes and e-scooters in town parks and beaches
Town leaders say the new rules are meant to prevent injuries and protect park infrastructure.
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Town of Babylon officials say e-bikes and e-scooters are now banned from all town park facilities and beaches.
Town leaders say the new rules are meant to prevent injuries and protect park infrastructure.
“If you don’t want to lose your vehicle, stay out of the town parks with them," says the town of Babylon’s commissioner of public safety, Gerard Gigante. “They can kick up the grass, the baseball fields, the soccer fields, also riding through garden areas.”
As News 12 has reported, officials have been sounding the alarm about these devices for months.
People under the age of 16 are already prohibited from using them, but the town says both kids and adults have been spotted riding through parks.
Some residents say they see more e‑bikes on the streets than in parks, but they still support the town taking action.
"It’s escalating. These kids are getting reckless," says Lindenhurst resident Vinny Boccio.
“It is a peaceful area and I wanted to leave it like that," says Copiague resident Jayane Khanna. “There’s a safety concern. It’s good they are thinking about the safety.”
Others say enforcement will be key.
“They have to have somebody here to enforce it. Otherwise, you could put all the rules you want, anything goes," says Boccio.
Gigante says enforcement is already in place.
“Park rangers, full‑time park rangers and law enforcement officers and they will be enforcing the law. We also have bay constables that are peace officers and they will be enforcing it at the beaches,” he says.
Town officials say anyone caught operating an e‑bike or e‑scooter within a Babylon park may be issued a summons.
