What Riders Need to Know About E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety
As micromobility grows, learn essential safety tips and rules of the road for riding e-bikes and e-scooters responsibly
Look in your side-view mirror. It’s not a bicycle. It’s not a motorcycle. It very well could be an e-bike or an e-scooter. Welcome to micromobility—transportation options that provide cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives for short commutes and delivery routes, struggling uphill on pedal-only bicycles or searching for that ever-elusive parking spot.
Sales of electric bicycles are steadily growing. In 2023, more than 1 million e-bikes were sold in the United States, and they continue to out-sell electric cars and electric trucks, according to the People For Bikes Coalition. In a 2024 study by Consumer Reports, 11% of Americans said they had ridden an electric bike in the past year. Add to that the option of e-scooting. A growing number of cities in the US have begun scooter-sharing systems to accommodate commuters in their “last-mile” choices—walking from where their bus or train ride concludes a mile or two away from their destination.
Safety first
If you are considering an e-bike or e-scooter, test-drive several models to find the right fit for you. E-bikes are heavier and can travel at speeds of up to 20 to 28 miles per hour—potentially twice that of conventional bikes. Both they and e-scooters will need a longer stopping distance, giving you less time to maneuver away from a potential problem. E-scooters, because the wheels are smaller, are also more susceptible to cracks, bumps and objects in their path.
Most important: wear a helmet. The number of e-bike riders with head trauma seeking hospital care was 49 times higher in 2022 than it was in 2017, according to research published in JAMA Surgery. E-scooter injuries rose by 45% each year during that same time period. As scary as those numbers are, helmet use actually declined by almost 6% each year.
Wear a helmet. A reliable bike helmet will protect you, but there are also helmets designed specifically for e-bike riders.
Share the road
What can we do as the injury numbers continue to roll higher? Motorists and drivers of conventional bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters are all required to follow the rules of the road:
- Obey speed limits, stop signs and traffic lights.
- Signal all lane changes and turns.
- Motorists—Be aware of cyclists and scooter riders; be on the lookout for them.
- Cyclists and scooter riders—Understand that you can be hard to see and behave predictably.
- Be courteous and remember you are not the only person on the road.
As e-bikes and e-scooters become increasingly common on streets and in bike lanes, both their benefits and their risks are coming into sharper focus. With the right equipment, awareness and respect for the road, these vehicles can help transform personal mobility in a positive and sustainable way.