They’re fast, fun and everywhere. E-bikes have become the must-have ride for many tweens and teens, but before parents say yes, they should understand the real safety risks of these vehicles with speeds much faster than traditional bikes. We spoke with a Cedars-Sinai trauma surgeon about what families need to know before that first ride.
Galinos Barmparas, M.D., FACS, is a father of two boys and the medical director of trauma in the Jim and Eleanor Randall Department of Surgery at Cedars-Sinai.
Sneak peek: What age is safe for an e-bike? Barmparas recommends waiting until the later teen years, depending on maturity, judgment and road awareness.
Have you noticed a growth in the popularity of e-bikes among tweens and young teens?
Yes, absolutely. A few years ago, these were still relatively niche products — expensive, somewhat limited and not nearly as common among kids and teenagers. Now, they are more affordable, the battery life is better, and they have become part of everyday life for many middle and high school students. Kids use them to get to school, sports and social activities. And frankly, it is not hard to understand the appeal. At that age, kids want independence, freedom and mobility, and e-bikes offer all of that in a very immediate way. If I were that age, I would probably want one, too.
Have you noticed a surge in e-bike-related accidents?
We are undoubtedly seeing this trend both nationally and here locally, in both adults and children. Several Southern California centers have reported a sharp rise over a very short period. These numbers, which are probably underreported, reflect the growing popularity of these vehicles, but they also highlight the very real safety concerns that come with them. These are not simple bicycle falls. E-bikes can reach speeds of almost 30 mph, and many young riders are not prepared for how quickly they accelerate or how differently they handle at those speeds, especially when braking or turning.
What are you seeing as a trauma surgeon?
What we are seeing as trauma surgeons is often much more serious than what parents picture when they think of a typical bicycle fall. The injury patterns are often closer to what we see in higher-energy crashes: significant road rash, fractures of the wrist, forearm and clavicle and, most concerning, brain and facial injuries. A child who goes over the handlebars at 20 to 25 mph without a properly fitted helmet can be in a genuinely dangerous situation. We are also seeing crashes involving cars, pedestrians, and fixed objects. And this is because the speed of these bikes can outpace a young rider’s judgment, reaction time and ability to control the bike, especially when braking or turning.
We have heard from parents who feel that they can’t say “no” to an e-bike because all of their child’s friends have one. How can parents better navigate this difficult situation?
As a parent, I understand how difficult this can be. Many families feel torn between legitimate safety concerns and the worry that their child will feel left out socially. But this is exactly when parents need to shift the conversation away from popularity and toward safety. An e-bike is not a toy; it is a motorized vehicle that can travel fast enough to cause a serious, even life-changing injury. Parents should feel comfortable saying no if they are not confident their child is ready. It is also worth talking with other parents in the friend group, because many may share the same concerns, and a shared approach is often much easier and more effective than one parent trying to hold the line alone. For some families, a reasonable middle ground may be a lower-speed model under close supervision, with clear rules and formal safety training.
What age do you think is safe for an e-bike?
Practically speaking, I would not recommend e-bikes for most tweens. A more reasonable threshold is for older teens, and even then, only if the rider is mature, follows rules consistently and is using an age-appropriate bike. In California, riders must be at least 16 to operate a Class 3 e-bike, which is the faster category that can reach speeds of up to 28 mph, and Class 3 riders are required to wear a helmet. More important than age alone, though, is readiness. Parents should ask whether their child can reliably handle speed, traffic, distraction and split-second decision-making. If the child is impulsive, easily distracted, ignores rules or has limited road awareness, then the answer should be no — or at least, not yet.
Safety rules for every rider
Several are non-negotiable in my view:
- Helmet for every single ride, no exceptions. And it needs to be the right helmet. A standard bicycle helmet is not designed for the speeds an e-bike can reach. A multisport or motorcycle-certified helmet appropriate for the speed class of the bike is recommended.
- Wrist guards and knee/elbow pads, particularly for younger or less experienced riders. The natural instinct when falling is to put your hands out, so protecting those structures matters.
- Bright, visible clothing and lights, day and night. E-bikes are faster than cars expect cyclists to be, and visibility is a true safety issue.Absolutely no earbuds or phone use while riding.A conversation about traffic law. Many kids don’t know that e-bikes are subject to the same rules of the road as bicycles. In California, there are specific regulations about which class of e-bike a minor can operate without a license.
- Also: Establish a defined, agreed-upon riding area and routes that are reviewed by the parents first.
Practice e-bike riding first
Beyond the safety equipment, I would emphasize two things:
- First, the child should practice in a safe, controlled environment, such as an empty parking lot or other quiet area, before ever riding on a public road. They need to learn how the bike accelerates, how long it takes to stop and how it handles when turning.
- Second, if a formal riding lesson or safety course is available, I think that is a very good idea. The League of American Bicyclists and some local organizations offer these.
Any other thoughts you would like to share?
It is very important to understand that the injury severity we see with e-bikes isn’t primarily about recklessness, but rather about speed and physics. A well-meaning, careful kid who misjudges a curb or gets surprised by a car door can sustain a very serious injury at e-bike speeds that they would have walked away from on a conventional bike. The margin for error is smaller, and that is worth taking seriously — regardless of how responsible your child generally is.
E-bikes are here to stay. Trying to ban them makes no sense and, frankly, isn’t the point. The goal is not to eliminate them, but to make sure we are raising kids who are prepared to ride them safely. That means the right age, the right training, the right equipment and parents who are paying attention.
