Teens On Bicycles Blocking Street Charged With Traffic Violations: Bel Air Police

BEL AIR, MD — Police officers were called to the area of 13 North Main Street Aug. 7 to break up a large group of teens who allegedly were blocking the street with their bicycles and E-bikes. Eight teens have been charged with traffic violations and officers remind residents to remember the rules of the road for bicyclists.

When officers were headed to the area where the teens were last seen Aug. 7, dispatch also saw the group of teens via surveillance footage enter the parking garage and head to the rooftop. Officers detained the eight students and had them call their parent or guardian so the police officers could tell that individual to pick them up.

All juveniles were charged with traffic violations and referred to the Department of Juvenile Services. All bicycles were seized, transported and submitted into temporary police department custody, the police department stated.

"The Bel Air Police Department is sharing this incident with the community in order to educate not only juveniles but also parents and guardians, motorists and cyclists. Safety for the bicyclists, for drivers and for pedestrians is our primary objective. Most of the juveniles charged were from outside the town of Bel Air. They obviously had to travel some distance to town on local roadways and some were operating E-bikes, which have the ability to travel at greater speeds than typical pedal powered bicycles," the police department stated on Facebook.

Furthermore, bicycles are considered a vehicle in Maryland, so they must obey all traffic laws, traffic signals, stop signs and laws governing pedestrian safety.

"In addition, all bicyclists under the age of 16 are required to wear a safety helmet when riding on public property, including roadways, trails and sidewalks. Lastly, bicyclist are not permitted to ride on sidewalks in the business district or on/in municipal structures in the town of Bel Air," the Bel Air Police Department wrote.