AAA warns of rising e-bike injuries, offers tips for parents and young riders

DEARBORN, Mich. (WNEM) - As e-bikes and e-scooters grow in popularity, AAA is launching a new campaign to help parents understand the risks of the devices and the steps to prevent serious injuries.

“E-rides have spread so quickly that laws, infrastructure, and safety awareness haven’t kept pace,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokeswoman. “That leaves many parents trying to figure out what’s safe, what’s allowed, and what rules to set. AAA’s E-Ride Ready campaign helps close that gap.”

The “E-Ride Ready” includes a free safety guide that helps families understand how e-bikes and e-scooters operate, choose helmets designed for the speed and type of device, identify where riders can safely and legally ride, and set clear safety expectations before a child’s first ride.

AAA said the campaign comes amid growing concern across the country about injuries involving young e-riders.

A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission review found injuries rose an average of 23% from 2017 to 2022, contributing to an estimated 360,800 emergency department visits and 233 deaths. E-ride crashes typically involve vehicles, pedestrians, and objects like curbs and mailboxes, according to AAA.

“As e-rides become more common, younger riders are often sharing the road with traffic before they fully understand how to navigate it safely,” said Woodland. “When you combine higher speeds with limited experience, the risk of a serious crash increases quickly. That’s why it’s critical for parents to stay involved and set clear expectations before a child rides.”

Helmets are recommended to reduce the risk of serious head injuries, yet AAA said many young riders go without one or use helmets that are not designed for higher-speed devices.

“Helmets can make all the difference in a crash,” said Woodland “Parents should make sure riders wear a properly fitted helmet on every ride and ensure it matches the speed and capabilities of the device.”

E-Ride laws can also vary by location, and confusion can create additional risk for families, AAA said. Rules governing rider age, helmet requirements, and where devices can operate are different in each state and local communities.

Federal law defines a low-speed e-bike as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals, a motor of 750 watts or less, and top assisted speeds ranging from 20 to 28 mph, depending on classification. Some higher-speed devices used by teens could fall outside traditional e-bike classifications altogether and require a driver’s license and registration, AAA said.

The law in Michigan:

• Riders under 18 must wear helmets
• Riders must be 14 to ride a Class 3 e-bike
• E bikes may ride where bicycles are allowed
• Sidewalk riding is generally permitted unless restricted locally
• Class 3 E-bikes are not allowed on nonmotorized state trails

AAA encourages families to review their state and local laws before allowing kids or teens to ride. The E-Ride Safety Guide also highlights safe locations to ride.

“E-bikes and e-scooters can be a fun and convenient way to get around, but they require more awareness and responsibility than many families expect,” said Woodland. “When parents understand the risks and set clear expectations, they can help prevent crashes before they happen.”

AAA’s free E-Ride Safety Guide can be downloaded at this link.

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