Electric Bike Safety

Let’s talk about electric bike safety. People always ask me if electeric bikes are safe.

Short Answer: NO

Longer answer is: That depends on who is riding them.

Lets think about electric bike safety and physics...

First, let’s talk a little about physics. Momentum on an electric bike increase based on the rider’s weight and how fast they are going. The faster you go, the faster the momentum is. So, why does this matter?

Think about 2 things:

First, think about hitting a curb while you are riding this electric bike while you are going incredibly fast. Your momentum is going to cause you to fly off. The higher your momentum, the farther you will fly and the worse the impact will be. You will get hurt.

Second, think what might happen if you are riding a bike and get hit by a car. Your momentum is going to cause you to fly farther and harder either into the car or away from the car. And, you will get even more injured. In this case, there are 2 objects in motion, causing them both to bring momentum and weight when they collide.

Enter tweens and teenagers

Tween and teens who don’t know how to drive will not know all the rules of the road. For boys, their frontal lobes don’t fully develop until they are in their early 20s. So, that means in addition to not knowing the rules of the road, they might also make stupid decisions.

Ebikes are vehicles

Electric bikes are vehicles. Electric bike safety needs to be learned. Kids need to be taught the rules of the road and responsibility before just hopping on one of these things. And, don’t forget, they must wear a helmet every single time. Why? Because helmets save lives.

I actually like the idea of electric bikes and scooters for many reasons. First, they are a great alternative to standard vehicles and motorcycles if you are just scooting around town. You can avoid having to pay outrageous gas prices, and keep our environment a little bit cleaner. Also, you can get some exercise and fresh air while doing it. Older kids can also be given more responsibility and go a little bit farther then they can on a standard bike. All of this is great, except they can be incredibly dangerous. Use them wisely and safely please!

State laws

In my state, it varies by type of e-bike as to who can ride and how fast, based on the class of bike. Click here for a list of laws by state.

A Class 1 eBike, or low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycles, is equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 mph. These e-bikes are legal on any paved surface that a regular bike is allowed to operate.

Class 2 eBikes, or low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle, are equipped with motors that can exclusively propel the bicycle, but that cannot provide assistance when the bike reaches 20 mph. These e-bikes are legal on any paved surface that a regular bike is allowed to operate.

A Class 3 eBike, or speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle, is equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches 28 mph. Operators of Class 3 e-bikes must be 16 or older and wear a helmet. Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited from Class I multi-use bike paths unless specifically authorized by a local ordinance.

Below is a simple visual infographic for determining what class your eBike falls into (from currentbikes.com)

Ebike injuries

All in all, I see SO MANY injuries from ebikes and scooters. Usually, they get hurt because they are not wearing helmets (or wearing them and they are not strapped on). And, because kids don’t understand the rules of the road while riding.

Unfortunately, in my practice I see kids suffer severe traumatic brain injuries for bad ebike accidents. There are also increasing number of facial injuries, face fractures, mouth and teeth injuries and fractures of arms and legs. And, kids die from riding ebikes. So, in short, electric bikes are not safe. If you are going to purchase one for your child, you need to also teach them how to ride safely, how to protect themselves and the possibility of injury when using these vehicles. Teach electric bike safety please! So, it is possible for tweens and teens to ride electric bikes safely. But, they need to have considerable education and learn the rules of the road before doing so. And, if you are going to buy your child an electric bike, they must never let their friends, who don’t know how to ride one, borrow it.

Be safe! You got this!