Storm Lake Police Urge Caution After Child Injured in Scooter Crash

Storm Lake police say a child on a scooter was hurt Friday afternoon after failing to stop at a stop sign and being struck by a vehicle.

The incident occurred around 4:50 p.m. on East 10th Street near Oneida, just north of the high school ball fields.

Officers say the child did not stop at the stop sign and rode into the path of an oncoming vehicle. The child sustained non life‑threatening injuries, but the department emphasized that the outcome could have been much worse.

The police department shared details of the incident on Facebook Saturday morning, saying officers have seen a noticeable jump in kids riding scooters and e‑bikes around town — often doubling up, ignoring stop signs and not following basic traffic rules. The department says scooters and e‑bikes aren’t designed for multiple riders, and many young operators don’t fully understand the rules of the road.

Storm Lake doesn’t have a standalone scooter or e‑bike ordinance. Instead, riders fall under Iowa’s bicycle laws and the city’s general traffic control rules. That means anyone operating a scooter or e‑bike on public streets must obey stop signs, yield requirements and all other traffic signals just like a bicycle or any other vehicle. 

State law also limits “low‑speed” e‑bikes to motors under 750 watts and motor‑assisted speeds under 20 miles per hour on bike paths, and allows them anywhere traditional bicycles are permitted. Storm Lake has no additional local restrictions beyond prohibiting bicycles on sidewalks in the central business district.

Police say Friday’s crash is a reminder that safety starts at home. They’re urging parents to talk with their kids about responsible riding, supervision and why stop signs matter.

The department says “officers can only do so much,” noting that keeping kids safe takes a community effort.