E-Bike Safety Guide for Students

Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, allow students to quickly get to and from school without needing a car and give them an early sense of freedom. However, these electric vehicles come with their risks, and it’s essential for students to understand the best e-bike safety practices and key laws and regulations in their state.

Keep reading to learn more about e-bike safety, the legal requirements for e-bike usage and the types of insurance you should consider.

What Are the Legal Requirements To Ride an E-Bike?

Depending on your state, there may be laws indicating at what age you must be to ride your e-bike, if you must wear a helmet, if you need to get a license and register your e-bike and where you can ride your e-bike.

Minimum Age

In some states, there may be a minimum age you must be before you can ride an electric bicycle, sometimes ranging from 14 years old to 16 years old.^[1] As a result, riding an e-bike to school may only be possible for older high school students in some states.

Helmet

While it is always recommended to wear a helmet to protect yourself while riding an electric bike, it is mandatory in some states. If there is such a law, the helmet may be required for all operators, or for students of a certain age or for students who ride certain e-bikes.^[2]

License and Registration

The majority of states do not require you to apply for a license before you can ride your e-bike but may be required in at least six states:^[2]

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Massachusetts
• Missouri
• New Mexico
• North Dakota

Meanwhile, other states or cities will only require you to register your e-bike. For example, in Honolulu, you need to pay a $30 registration fee and provide proof of ownership.^[3]

In addition, you should double-check if there are different rules based on the classification of the e-bike. For example, in New Jersey, license, registration and insurance are not necessary for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes. However, Class 3 e-bikes are considered motorized bicycles and operators of these bikes need to get a driver’s license, register their e-bike and buy insurance.^[4]

Where You Can Ride

Some states have laws that specify where you’re allowed and not allowed to ride your e-bike. States where it is prohibited to ride your e-bike on sidewalks include (but may not be limited to):^[5][6]

• Illinois
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Hawaii

You should also check your local county if there are additional rules to be mindful of and to check in advance which routes have designated lanes that would make it safer for riding.

Do Students Need Insurance When Riding an E-Bike?

Most states won’t require insurance if your e-bike has an electric motor of up to 750 watts and falls into one of the three main classes of electric bikes:^[1]

• Class 1: Motor assistance is activated when the rider is pedaling, up to 20 mph.
• Class 2: Motor propels the bicycle without pedaling by the rider, up to 20 mph.
• Class 3: Motor assistance is activated when the rider is pedaling, up to 28 mph.

Keep in mind that specific insurance requirements for e-bikes can vary by state, city or even local county, so ensure you look up any laws that might require insurance for your area. If your electric bike falls outside your state’s e-bike classification, it may be considered a moped or other motorized vehicle subject to normal insurance requirements. For example, Class 3 bikes in New Jersey are considered motorized bicycles and require insurance, and without it, they may face a fine of $50.^[7][4]

While getting insurance coverage for your e-bike isn’t a legal necessity in most states, there may be some situations where e-bike insurance is beneficial. For example, if some or all of your bike was stolen from the rack while in class, you’d be left footing the bill to replace it without coverage for physical damage or theft. 

Considering e-bikes can be pretty costly, running around $2,000 on average, ensuring you have coverage if your bike is stolen or damaged can help give you peace of mind.^[8]

What Type of Insurance Covers E-Bikes

Insurance coverage for your e-bike is generally available as a standalone insurance policy or as an add-on to your homeowners or renters insurance policy. Standalone e-bike insurance typically includes comprehensive coverage and liability protection, alongside coverage for theft, vandalism and other perils like fire. Some policies may include added perks, such as worldwide coverage if you take your bike traveling, uninsured motorist protection if your bike is damaged in a hit-and-run or roadside assistance if you get hit with a flat tire.

If you or your parents have renters or homeowners insurance, your e-bike may be covered under personal property protection depending on your insurer and the class of e-bike you own. However, as e-bikes can be expensive, they’re typically subject to a sublimit that can limit the coverage you’d receive if they were damaged or stolen. You may be able to purchase scheduled property coverage for your bike to insure it for its full replacement value.

Are There Fines or Penalties if E-Bike Insurance Isn’t Met?

If your state requires you to carry e-bike insurance and you do not, you may face certain penalties. For example, in New Jersey, you can face a fine of up to $50 if you are pulled over and cannot provide the officer with your insurance identification card and driver’s license.^[9]

What Are the Risks Associated With Riding E-Bikes?

Unlike a traditional bicycle, an electric bike carries a few more risks due to its typically heavier frame and faster speed. E-bike riders are significantly more likely to suffer internal injuries when hurt, with an estimated 53,200 emergency room visits and 104 fatalities resulting from e-bike accidents between 2017 and 2022.^[10] As many states don’t require helmets with e-bikes, their faster speeds can increase the risk of injury when struck in a collision if riders choose to forgo safety equipment.

Additionally, given their high cost, the odds of e-bike theft can be considerably increased. Traditional bikes are already commonly stolen, with an average of 175,200 stolen annually.^[11]

How Students Can Stay Safe While Riding Their E-Bikes

Despite risks, students can safely ride an e-bike as part of their regular commute to school and for fun and recreation as long as they remain aware of their surroundings and respect the power an e-bike is capable of. Here are a few tips for staying safe while riding your electric bike.

Pay Attention to Traffic and Your Surroundings

E-bikes travel faster than you might be used to with a traditional pedal-operated bicycle, and faster speeds mean less reaction time for both you and other drivers. Even when you have right of way, other people may not expect an e-bike to move as quickly as it can, potentially allowing you to sneak up on drivers or pedestrians on sidewalks or trails.

Wear a Helmet

Wearing a helmet may not be legally required everywhere you can ride, but it’s a smart idea to do so anyway. In a collision, a helmet can help reduce the risk of head injury by 60% if you get in an accident.^[12]

Be Visible

Ensure drivers can easily see you if you have to ride into traffic or share a lane with cars, as you could unintentionally move into someone’s blind spot. Additionally, if you bike at lower light hours, like riding home from extracurricular activities or visiting friends, use reflective adhesives or bike lights to help drivers and pedestrians see you from further away. 

Be Audible

Using a small bell, horn or your voice to alert other drivers and pedestrians where you are can also help you avoid collisions.

Use Your Mirrors

Like driving a car, you can use side mirrors on your e-bike to quickly assess what’s behind you without turning your head around. Turning your head to spot traffic behind you leaves you without any vision of what’s ahead, including cars or pedestrians that may have appeared ahead without you noticing.

Use Hand Signals

Hand signals work just like signals on a car and can let drivers around you know your intentions, such as turning or slowing down. Practice hand signals before you go out riding on roads.

Check Your Speed

Depending on their class, e-bikes can reach 28 miles per hour with assistance – fast enough to span a football field in nine seconds. Because they can travel so fast, any issues with a sticking or malfunctioning throttle could result in serious injury or fatality. Keep your speed in mind whenever traveling, just in case you need to make an emergency stop.

Brake Early

Because e-bikes can travel faster and weigh more than traditional bikes, how quickly and smoothly they can brake differs from traditional bicycles. Ensure you brake early to give yourself more time to slow down safely and avoid a collision. Additionally, practice braking safely without toppling your e-bike before taking it out on the road so you can get a feel for it.

Use Caution When Mounting and Dismounting

E-bikes typically weigh more than traditional bicycles, and improper mounting or dismounting could cause the bike to fall and injure you or someone else. To put it in perspective, the average bike weighs between 20 and 40 pounds, but an e-bike can double that amount.^[13]

Consider Upgrading Your Tires

Tires can wear down their treads after significant use, reducing the friction they can generate when stopping and may cause your bike to skid. You should consider replacing your e-bike tires after about five years since the rubber will wear down over time, even without visible deterioration.^[11] Ensure your tires are properly inflated, as an underinflated tire could also decrease traction and wear down your tires faster than usual, possibly resulting in a flat tire.