Far Rockaway, NY (June 4, 2026)

Rabbi Yaakov Bender has issued another forceful warning to parents over students bringing electric bikes and scooters to yeshiva, citing recent tragedies and growing safety concerns surrounding high-speed micromobility devices.

In a message to parents, Rabbi Bender expressed deep frustration that some children are still being allowed to ride electric bikes and scooters to school despite repeated warnings. He said the devices have no place in a yeshiva setting and placed responsibility directly on parents who permit their children to use them.

The warning follows a fatal crash last week on the Queensboro Bridge, where two men were killed in a head-on collision involving an electric scooter and a bicycle in the bridge’s bike lane. The incident renewed concerns across New York City about powerful electric scooters and bikes being used in crowded public spaces, particularly by riders who may not understand the risks or legal limits.

Rabbi Bender also pointed to previous cases in Jewish communities in which children riding scooters were killed or seriously injured. He described the issue as a matter of basic parental responsibility, saying that while parents naturally want to make their children happy, giving them access to dangerous devices can lead to devastating consequences.

Several electric bikes and scooters have recently been confiscated after students rode them to yeshiva and attempted to hide them in nearby backyards rather than bringing them onto campus. Rabbi Bender said the devices are now being kept securely in his office to prevent students from retrieving them and riding them again.

The message reflects broader concern among schools, parents, and community leaders about the rapid spread of e-bikes and electric scooters among children and teenagers. While the devices have become popular and convenient, safety advocates have warned that many are capable of dangerous speeds and can cause severe injuries in crashes.

Rabbi Bender urged parents not to give in to pressure from children who claim that peers are using the devices, stressing that the potential consequences are far too serious to ignore.