E-scooter/bike safety and children

Question:

What’s the halachic perspective on parents buying an electric scooter or bike for their young child (or at least allowing them to have one)? Are they allowed to? And if their child hurts someone (as happens very often, unfortunately) are the parents liable for any resulting damages and/or costs?

Answer:

Parents are obligated to ensure that doing so does not create an unreasonable risk of harm. If the child is not sufficiently mature, responsible, or capable of operating the vehicle safely, it would be improper to permit its use.

With regard to damages, a minor is generally not liable in the same manner as an adult. Parents are likewise not automatically liable for every act of damage caused by their child. Nevertheless, where parents acted negligently by entrusting a potentially dangerous vehicle to a child who could reasonably be expected to cause harm, there may be grounds to hold the parents responsible for their own negligence.

Each case depends on its specific circumstances, including the child’s age and maturity, the nature of the vehicle, the manner in which it was used, and the foreseeability of the resulting harm. Where actual injury or damage has occurred, the matter should be reviewed by competent dayanim familiar with the laws of damages.

In general, electric scooters and e-bikes should not be viewed as mere toys, but as vehicles capable of causing significant injury if not used responsibly. Riding an electric scooter on the sidewalk is not permitted. It is against the law, creates a hazard for pedestrians, and any resulting damage is the rider’s responsibility.

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