Family Guide to E-Bikes

Introduction

Electric bikes (known as "e-bikes") offer a lot of benefits. They’re faster, easier to pedal, and can make traveling with heavy or bulky loads (think backpacks and sports gear) more manageable. E-bikes also are better for air quality and climate protection than gas-powered vehicles, and they can boost a teen's sense of independence and autonomy.

But they also carry some risks. Heavier and faster than regular bicycles, they can be harder to control and cause more damage in a collision. Unfortunately, as e-bike popularity grows, so too do accident rates. According to the American College of Surgeons, reported e-bike collisions in California rose from 184 in 2018 to more than 3,400 in 2023 (American College of Surgeons: “Electric Bikes are Emerging as Public Health Hazard,” July/August 2024).

A separate study conducted in Marin found that 85% of all bike crashes for ages 10 to 15 were related to e-bikes (Marin County Safe Routes to Schools: "E-Bike FAQs").

A few notes before you go shopping:

If you are shopping for an e-bike or e-scooter for your child, it is your responsibility to ensure they are using it safely and legally. Please review the e-bike class information below before purchasing.
Be aware that some manufacturers are promoting non-street legal devices incorrectly as e-bikes.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that children ages 12 and under should not ride bikes that exceed 10 mph.

Types of E-Bikes (and Scooters)

Class 1 E-Bikes

Class 2 E-bikes

Class 3 E-Bikes

Electric Scooters

Electric Motorcycles (E-Motos)

Note: An e-wheel with excessive power or speed is considered a moped or motorcycle and is illegal on public roads unless it is registered with the DMV, equipped with motorcycle lights and mirrors, and ridden by someone with a driver’s license.

Power: 250-3000 watts
Power Source: Throttle
Minimum Age: 16
Driver's License: Required
Mirrors, lights, and DMV registration: Required
Helmet: Required for all ages
Maximum speed: 35 mph+
Permitted on: Roads

E-Bike Tips, Rules, and Resources

Tips

Students should only have e-bikes if they are mentally, emotionally, and physically ready for the responsibility. You can ensure they're ready by:

1. Buying only the type of e-bike that is safe and legal for your child’s age.

2. Teaching your child to ride in traffic safely, including using hand signals, staying off their phones, and riding with the flow of traffic, and using their bell or voice to let people know they’re coming.

3. Reviewing AUSD policies on e-bikes (see below).

4. Explaining they cannot carry passengers unless there is a designated seat.

5. Creating a family rule that they always wear a helmet

6. Explaining it is illegal to do trick or stunt riding on any street in Alameda on either a manual or electric bike.

We also recommend that all youth take the California Highway Patrol’s “Electric Bicycle Safety and Training” course before beginning to ride their e-bikes in Alameda.

AUSD Policies

AUSD encourages students and families to walk, bike, and scooter to school. These “active transportation” modes help students get exercise and fresh air before and after school and reduce local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

While we encourage students to ride to campus, however, we also require students to:

Follow all laws and regulations regarding use, speed limits, age, and licensing, and equipment.
Walk their bikes and scooters while on campus during the school day
Wear a helmet when riding to and from school.
Ride only devices that meet legal standards for roads or paths to campus
Take responsibility for their electric bikes while on school premises. Neither the school nor the school district are liable for lost, stolen, or damaged electric bikes.

Resources

DYK? E-scooters are allowed in bike lanes or on roads where the speed limit is 25 mph or less. But riders need to have a learner’s permit or driver’s license, and those aged 17 or under need to wear a helmet.