E-bikes

E-bikes combine traditional cycling with a battery-powered motor to give an extra boost when you pedaI, providing eco-friendly transportation. But they are heavier, faster, and harder to handle compared to traditional bicycles. Listen in while we discuss what parents need to know before allowing a child to ride an e-bike, how e-bikes differ from regular bicycles, why speed and vehicle type matter, how to assess readiness, and the essentials of helmets, traffic safety, training, passengers, and battery charging. This practical advice will help families make safer, more informed choices.

This episode written by Dean Blumberg and Lena van der List.

Resources

• Healthy Children Are Electric Bikes (E-Bikes) Safe for Kids?
• Healthy Children E-Bike Safety Checklist for Parents and Teens
• Healthy Children Family E-Bike Riding Agreement
• Matt Willis Your Local California Epidemiologist Rolling back to school- E-bike safety in California
• Austin J et al Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open article An exponential increase in e-bike injuries in California
• Global Market Insights U.S. E-Bike Market Size & Share 2026-2035
• US Consumer Product Safety Commission Micromobility- E-Bikes, E-Scooters and Hoverboards
• National Fire Protection Association Safety With E-Bikes and E-Scooters
• California Highway Patrol Electric Bicycle Training and Safety course

Photo courtesy Elektrek