Posted on 08/08/25
Baltimore, MD – August 8, 2025 - In response to growing concerns from residents of the Pickwick housing development, the community came together Thursday evening to host a much-needed Electric Scooter and Bike Safety Workshop aimed at educating local youth about safe riding practices.
Over the past few weeks, many adults in Pickwick observed troubling behaviors among neighborhood children on electric scooters and bikes. Children were frequently seen riding without helmets, darting from between parked cars, speeding down the middle of the street, and sometimes traveling in large swarms that blocked traffic. The safety risks became too pressing to ignore.
To address the issue proactively, residents organized a brief but impactful workshop and added a sweet incentive: free Kona Ice for all attendees. The event was held on a neighbor’s front lawn, with almost 50 children in attendance.
Rabbi Meyerowitz, LSW, LCSW-C, graciously led the interactive session. Drawing from both his professional and communal experience, Rabbi Meyerowitz kept the children engaged and connected with them, while delivering the message, we want you to have fun but do it safely and responsibly. Highlights of the workshop included: The importance of always wearing a helmet, and ideally, using a helmet designed for higher-impact electric vehicles. Maryland laws require scooter riders to ride on the right side of the road, stop at stop signs, and yield the right of way just like cars do. The importance of reflective gear and lights when riding at night. How to respond respectfully if a driver or adult offers guidance, and how that too is part of avoiding a Chillul Hashem.
The workshop also opened up space for kids to share their own experiences and questions, helping to cement the ideas in a relatable way. The interactive format made the rules more than just "do's and don'ts", but part of a conversation about respect, responsibility, and being a good neighbor. After the session, the line for Kona Ice grew quickly, but the safety lessons lingered. Several children were seen immediately repeating the safety tips to friends who hadn’t attended the workshop but showed up for the treats.
One parent noted, "It was amazing to see how seriously the kids took it after hearing it from Rabbi Meyerowitz in such a relatable way." Organizers hope this event will not only improve scooter safety in the neighborhood but also open the door for important conversations between parents and children about responsible riding, personal conduct, and being considerate members of the community.