E-Bike or E-Moto? BVSD teams with community partners on education initiatives

E-bikes continue to be a popular way for BVSD students to get to school. They can provide students with greater independence, reduce car trips, and make getting around our community fun and active. 

As electric-bike technology evolves, however, it can be difficult for families to know exactly what type of vehicle their student is riding. Understanding the difference between a legal e-bike and an e-moto or other motorized vehicle is an important part of riding safely and legally. 

Why does the distinction matter?

E-motos are different from legal e-bikes in the amount of power and speed they generate. Local public safety and health professionals are seeing serious injuries associated with higher-speed electric mobility vehicles, including traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and lacerations.  

Our law enforcement partners have also shared that some of the most concerning youth riding behaviors they encounter involve e-motos and not e-bikes. Because e-motos are capable of higher speeds, they are more frequently associated with reckless riding behaviors, like “power wheelies” that many of us have witnessed on busy roads.

A key reminder: It is also important to know that if an e-bike is modified, so that it exceeds the legal limits for an e-bike, it may no longer be considered an e-bike under Colorado law. 

So, what is the difference between an e-bike and an e-moto?

Under Colorado law, an e-bike must have working pedals, a motor of 750 watts or less, and assist within the speed limits established for its class:

• Class 1: Pedal assist only; motor assistance stops at 20 mph.
• Class 2: Throttle and pedal assist; motor assistance stops at 20 mph.
• Class 3: Pedal assist only; motor assistance stops at 28 mph. Riders must be at least 16 years old.

E-moto is a commonly used term to identify electric vehicles that exceed 750 watts and/or 28 mph. E-motos are not allowed in bike lanes or on paths. They are also not legal to be ridden in the street without proper lights, blinkers, registration, and licensing. 

Low Powered Scooters: E-motos over 750 watts and under 4,476 watts are considered low-powered scooters and would require a driver’s license to operate. 

Electric Motorcycles: E-motos over 4,476 watts are considered an electric motorcycle and would require a driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement to operate.

Depending on the circumstances, riders can receive citations for riding e-motos on streets or paths, and some illegal motorized vehicles may be impounded. Parents may also face consequences depending on the violation and applicable law. 

It is also important to keep in mind that a standard bicycle helmet is only rated up to 20 miles per hour and would be inadequate to protect your child’s brain on a faster vehicle.

Source: AAA E-Ride Safety Guide for Parents & Riders 

How can you tell the difference between e-bikes and e-motos?

Start with the manufacturer's label and documentation. Colorado law includes labeling requirements intended to help consumers identify an e-bike's class and other important information. Learn more about Colorado's new e-bike labeling requirements in HB25-1197

Parents should check the manufacturer's specifications rather than relying solely on the appearance of the bike. Two bikes that look almost identical can have very different capabilities.

When in doubt, many of our local police departments can help you identify what type of vehicle you have.

Cross-agency collaboration to educate students and families

BVSD Safe Routes to School has been busy helping families navigate this evolving issue. We kicked off the school year by partnering with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department, Boulder County Mobility for All, and the Boulder, Longmont, and Lafayette police departments to create the following videos meant to highlight the difference between e-bikes and e-motos:

Videos:

• It May Not Be an E-Bike
• Would You Hand Your 13-Year-Old the Keys to Your Car?
• E-Bikes: Know Your Options

These videos have received over 12,000 views across various platforms and received over 5,000 likes, 2,200 comments and 2,500 shares and reposts!

Back to School Events: 

This cross-agency collaboration has continued this semester, our police and engineering partners have been staffing tables at back-to-school events across the district to answer community questions. 

Tagging E-motos:

The City of Boulder Transportation and Police departments also worked together to create a hang tag to place on e-motos parked around town, as a tool to educate the public that what they are riding may not be street legal. Staff from both departments recently tagged e-motos parked on the Centennial bike racks and set up a table after school near the bike racks, so they could answer students’ questions.

More to Come:

Our Safe Routes to School team will continue to include e-bike topics in the bicycle education classes they deliver in middle school P.E. classes. Additionally, our entire BVSD Security team will be receiving training from local law enforcement in September on how to identify e-motos, so they can have more informed discussions with students.  

Our community approach starts with education. By giving families the information they need to make informed choices about e-mobility we can help our students arrive safely to school.

If you would like to schedule an event at your school, email SafeRoutes@bvsd.org

Additional Resources

BVSD E-Bike Safety:
Visit the BVSD E-Bike Safety webpage

Previous BVSD articles about E-mobility:

• Understanding What IS and is NOT an E-Bike Will Help Keep Your Child Safe
• E-Bike Safety Starts at Home: Why Parents Must Regularly Check Their Child's E-Bike
• A Community Conversation on the Fast-Changing World of E-Bike Safety, E-Motos, and Youth Riding Behaviors