The Marblehead Police Department has seen an increase of crashes and near misses involving e-bikes over the last year.
E-bikes allow children and teens to build independence and be socially engaged. However, parents need to be aware of the dangers of these devices so they can inform their children on how to operate them safely.
Most e-bikes are equipped to travel no faster than 20 mph, which is the legal limit for bikes capable of providing motor assistance. This setting can be easily overridden.
Please ensure your children’s e-bikes have tamper-proof speed limits, and if they don’t, be sure you are regularly testing the bike to make sure it cannot go faster than 20 mph. This is also a good time to check the brakes and lights.
It is also important to note the laws regarding e-bikes. E-bikes are not permitted to ride on sidewalks, and riders must share the road with cars and other vehicles. Make sure your child knows how to blend with the flow of cars and follow all designated road signs. When around pedestrians, bikers should travel no faster than 5 mph and use hand signals, verbal cues and/or bells to alert pedestrians.
Lastly, all riders under 16 must wear a properly fitted helmet, which can reduce the chance of injury in a crash. Non-compliance with helmet requirements and traffic law violations for juveniles can result in bicycle impoundment.
Please talk with your child about e-bike safety before letting them ride. Keeping our community safe requires effort from everyone.