E-Bikes on the Rise: What Parents Need to Know About Safety, Laws and Child Injuries
- Every Media Productions
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
Electric bicycles are rapidly transforming how Americans move through cities, neighborhoods and coastal communities. But as e-bikes become more popular, especially among teenagers and children, so do accidents, injuries and legal concerns.
By Fábio Borges, in San Diego - California.
In this recent episode of his video podcast, Michael Wales, the California-based Child Injury Attorney, breaks down the most common dangers associated with e-bikes and explains what parents must understand to keep their children safe.
“E-bikes are not toys,” Wales emphasizes. “They’re fast, heavy and capable of causing serious injuries, especially when operated by inexperienced riders.”
Understanding E-Bike Classes Is Critical
According to Wales, one of the biggest problems is that many parents don’t fully understand the three legal classes of e-bikes in California:
Class 1 e-bikes provide pedal assistance only, up to 20 mph.
Class 2 e-bikes include a throttle and can reach 20 mph without pedaling.
Class 3 e-bikes offer pedal assistance up to 28 mph and come with stricter rules: riders must be at least 16 years old, wear a helmet, and cannot carry passengers.
“Parents should always look for the classification sticker on their child’s e-bike,” Wales advises. “That sticker matters legally.”
E-Bikes Are Not Motorcycles, but the Rules Still Apply
While e-bikes are treated like traditional bicycles under California law, meaning no driver’s license, insurance, or license plate is required, riders must still obey all traffic laws.
That includes stopping at red lights and stop signs, yielding to pedestrians, signaling turns with hand gestures and never riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“Failing to follow the rules of the road can lead to the same penalties and liabilities as any bicycle rider,” Wales explains.
Rider Error and Child-on-Child Accidents
One of the most concerning trends Wales highlights is the rise in child-on-child injury cases, often caused by rider error.
E-bikes can weigh more than twice as much as traditional bicycles and their higher speeds magnify small mistakes. When a child passenger is injured due to another child’s negligence, liability can quickly become complicated.
“Fortunately, homeowner’s insurance often covers these situations,” Wales notes. “But prevention is always better than dealing with the aftermath.”
Dooring Accidents: A Growing Urban Danger
Another major cause of injuries involves dooring accidents, which occur when a cyclist collides with a suddenly opened car door.
With more e-bikes on the road, these incidents are increasing, especially in bike lanes that run too close to parked cars.
“Riders must learn to avoid the door zone,” Wales says. “Many bike lanes are actually inside that danger area.”
He stresses the importance of teaching both drivers and riders safer habits, including the Dutch Reach, a technique that forces drivers to look for cyclists before opening their doors.
Parking Garage Exits and Inattentive Drivers
Wales also warns about accidents at parking garage exits, where poor visibility, blind corners and distracted drivers create a high-risk environment for e-bike riders.
“Inattentional blindness is real,” he explains. “Drivers often look right at a child on an e-bike and still don’t see them.”
This phenomenon becomes even more dangerous during early mornings, evenings and seasonal low-light conditions.
The Reality of E-Bike Injuries
Because of their speed and weight, e-bike accidents frequently result in serious injuries, including head trauma, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal injuries and long-term neurological issues.
“Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away,” Wales cautions. “That’s why medical evaluation after any crash is essential.”
Education Is the Best Protection
Wales’ message to parents is clear: education saves lives.
“The more we understand the risks, the better we can teach our children how to ride safely,” he says. “That knowledge can prevent devastating, lifelong consequences.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHAEL WALES - THE CHILD INJURY ATTORNEY:
