A community conversation on the fast-changing world of e-bike safety, e-motos, and youth riding behaviors

Last month, parents, students, and community members gathered at Louisville Middle School for a community conversation on e-bike safety hosted by the Louisville Police Department. The event brought together experts from the Louisville Police and Fire Departments, Intermountain Health, and BVSD’s Safe Routes to School program to help families better understand the fast-changing world of e-bikes, e-motos, and youth riding behaviors.

A Focus on Education Over Enforcement

Louisville Police emphasized that their primary goal is education, not writing tickets. Sgt. DiGiovanni shared that most concerning interactions with youth involve vehicles that aren’t actually e-bikes, but are e-motos, including low-powered scooters and e-motorcycles that exceed 750 watts of power. These vehicles require a driver’s license, insurance, and registration, and can be impounded if a rider does not meet those requirements.

Sgt. DiGiovanni explained key differences between e-bikes and e-motos:

E-Bikes (Must have pedals, <750 watts)

• Class 1: Pedal assist only, up to 20 mph
• Class 2: Pedal assist + throttle, up to 20 mph
• Class 3: Pedal assist only, up to 28 mph (for riders 16+)
  Where they can ride: Class 1 and 2 can go anywhere a traditional bike can; Class 3 is restricted to roadways.

Not E-Bikes:

• Low-Power Scooters: 750–4,476 watts
• Electric Motorcycles: 4,476+ watts

These more powerful vehicles are the ones police most often encounter when they pull youth over. It is important to note that adding functional pedals and a speed limiter does not make them an e-bike, as they remain too powerful.

Officers also advised parents to teach children what to do if a police officer pulls them over, as some kids have eluded police, resulting in more serious charges. Common reasons for stops include reckless riding, riding without lights, not following traffic laws, and unsafe stunts such as wheelies.

When Does a Ticket Happen?

Police reiterated that they almost always start with education, especially if parents are reachable and eager to help correct the issue. Tickets are more likely when:

• A rider has already been educated and continues to exhibit unsafe behavior or continues to ride an out-of-class e-moto
• There is significant disregard for safety
• There is eluding of the police officer 
• A collision has occurred
• Adult owners of e-motos can be cited if they allow an uninsured minor to operate the vehicle

Health & Safety Insights from Medical and Emergency Responders

RN Grace Greathouse of Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital shared that injuries from e-bikes and e-scooters are rising, especially among riders under age 26. Among the most common injuries: traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and lacerations. She noted that while helmet usage is higher among e-bike riders than e-scooter riders, injuries are more severe when vehicles are faster or heavier than the rider can safely handle.

DC/EMS Shawn Stark and DC Jennifer Henderson of Louisville Fire added that while they are not responding to large numbers of e-bike crashes, the injuries they do see tend to involve higher speeds and more serious outcomes. Multi-rider crashes, vehicle collisions, and loss-of-control incidents are the most common scenarios.

Battery safety was another major focus of the Fire Department’s discussion, as lithium-ion batteries require careful handling to prevent hazards. Nationwide, there have been 188 battery-related explosions and more than 3,000 fires since 2022, and e-mobility fires have increased ninefold since 2019. Our experts emphasized that safe use is key: never overcharge, damage, or modify a battery, and remember the rule of thumb, “when in doubt, get it out.” Families are encouraged to choose UL-certified batteries, always use the charger that came with the device, and store e-bikes and batteries in a dry, temperature-controlled area. When a battery reaches the end of its life, it should be recycled through an approved program rather than being thrown in the trash.

Perspectives from BVSD Safe Routes to School

BVSD Safe Routes to School Program Manager Amy Thompson highlighted both the advantages and challenges that come with the rise of youth e-bike use.

Benefits of E-Bikes

• Expands how far students can travel independently
• Reduces parent driving and traffic congestion
• Supports sustainability goals and cleaner air
• Provides physical activity and boosts focus for students
• Encourages independence, and a fun way to get  to school

Challenges

• Unsafe riding practices and high-speed stunts
• Passengers riding without helmets
• Overridden speed limiters
• Teens riding out-of-class or illegal e-motos
• Maintenance issues and social media influence
• Community reports about unsafe behaviors

Thompson emphasized that students must first be competent traditional bike riders before transitioning to an e-bike. E-bikes are heavier, harder to maneuver, and travel twice as fast as a typical middle schooler on a regular bike (about 10 mph). Class 1 e-bikes, pedal-assist only, are generally best suited for younger riders.

What Families Can Do

• Buy a legal e-bike (not an e-moto) and consider buying locally for easier service.
• Test ride your child’s bike often to check for maintenance issues or altered speed limiters.
• Talk openly about social media influencers and stunt trends
• Practice riding together so kids can learn the rules of the road
• Encourage kids to choose slower residential streets over major arterials
• Use an E-Bike Safety Contract (such as the one from Marin County) to set shared expectations.