e-Bikes – Walk & Rollers

E-Biking Safety

In general, kids on bikes is a good thing, as long as they are riding safely and legally. An e-bike can be a great solution for long commutes and heavy backpacks but only if your student has prior experience with cycling. E-bikes are heavier and go twice as fast as conventional bikes for students of this age; riders must have the confidence, skill, and maturity to responsibly ride on the street and on multi-use pathways.

e-Bikes come in three classes:

Class I – Pedal assist only, max speed of 20 mph, no age limit, kids under the age of 18 must wear a helmet. These are good first step for an e-bike for your teenager.

Class II – Throttle and pedal assist, max speed of 20 mph, no age limit, kids under the age of 18 must wear a helmet

Class III – Pedal assist only, max speed of 28 mph, 16 year old age limit, ALL riders must wear helmets. Class III e-bikes are heavier with larger motors are not necessarily an optimal choice for a teenager.

Keep it Legal

According to California Vehicle Code – CVC 312.5 (a) -, legal e-bikes must have ALL THREE:

Working pedals
Maximum of 750 watts
Class I & II motor can NEVER EXCEED a maximum speed of 20 mph

In addition to all the safe cycling tips below, riding an electric bike carries extra responsibilities and burdens. Here are the essential safety tips to know when riding an e-bike:

Riding on street, in the direction of traffic
Stopping at all stop signs and traffic lights
Yielding to oncoming traffic at stop signs
Using appropriate reflectors and lights (at night)
e-bikes are heavy. An e-bike could weigh as much as 80 pounds so it’s stops differently than a standard bike. Also, if you lose control or have trouble starting or stopping, and fall, that’s a lot of weight come down on you, so use extra caution. This also may affect your ability to use transit should you choose that as an option since getting an e-bike up and down stairs or on and off a bus or train may be more challenging.
e-bikes are fast. Some e-bikes can up to 28 mph, which is twice the average commute pace of 14 MPH as much as 3 times the pace of a family. This means perception-reaction-action time in an emergency accelerates greatly, compared to a standard bike. It will take you longer to observe and react to an obstacle, so you must use extra caution.
e-bikes are quiet. It’s easy to come up on another road user or pedestrian without much notice. Be sure to use your voice and bell to announce your presence to avoid hazardous situations.
e-bikes accelerate quickly. Part of the fun of an e-bike is their quickness. This can also mean sudden accelerations may catch you off guard and cause a crash. Use caution when accelerating coming out of a turn or entering roadways and bikeways.

Biking to school as a family, in groups or individually is a great way for kids to experience the independence of getting to school on their own while also learning about traffic safety, time management and responsibility. In California, cyclists are considered motor vehicles and must follow all the rules and responsibilities of motorists.

Culver City Walk & Rollers will be offering several bike safety classes in the coming weeks, including e-bike safety and family safety classes. Until then, we strongly urge you and your teen to take advantage of several online resources:

CHP e-bike online safety course

Pedal Ace online e-bike safety course

League of American Bicyclists

E-Bike and battery information:

Types of e-Bike Motors

Hub Motors

The motor is either in the front or rear wheel – completely independent of the drivetrain. These motors are less expensive and require less maintenance.

Mid-drive Motors

Positioned in the bottom bracket and drive the crank. These motors are better for climbing steep inclines as they lower the bike’s center of gravity. They’re also usually smaller, lighter and more expensive.

Battery Safety

BATTERIES SHOULD BE UL 2849 SAFETY STANDARD, The gold standard for e-bike battery systems

CHARGING

Never charge overnight
Never leave unattended
Never overcharge
Avoid overheating
STORAGE
Keep in a well-ventilated area away from entry and exit doors
Keep away from extreme temperatures

Following are some key tips for all cyclists.

ALWAYS wear a helmet. In California, riders under 18 must wear a helmet, but we recommend EVERYONE wear one at all times when cycling. Wearing a helmet can prevent up to 85% of head traumas, should you be in a collision, so it’s not only smart, it’s the law. Riders under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet on all bikes– CVC 21212
All riders, regardless of age, on Class III e-bikes must wear a helmet
Be visible – Wear bright clothing, avoid blind spots of cars and pay extra attention at alleys, driveways.
Be predictable. Ride on the street, in the direction of traffic and use arm signals.
Follow the law. Ride on the rights die of the street, with traffic, stop at all stop signs and traffic lights.
Bikes must ride on the right side of the road, with the flow of traffic – do NOT ride against traffic (CVC 21202)
Use hand signals when turning (CVC 22107, CVC 22111)
Your bike should have a proper set of reflectors: Front (white), back (red), pedals (yellow/white) and wheels (white). Add lights if you’re riding at night. A front light is required by law for night riding – we recommend a back light as well. (CVC 21201).
Bicycles must be equipped with operational brakes (CVC 21201)
Do not wear headphones or headsets when riding (CVC 27400)
Do not use a cellphone while riding
Do not carry packages that prohibit you from keeping at least one hand on the handlebar (CCMC 7.04.235)
Riding on Sidewalks. In Culver City, it is legal to ride on sidewalks in residential areas only (CCMC 7.04.250). Use speeds that are safe and appropriate and remember that pedestrians have the right of way. Use a bell or horn to alert pedestrians. Be sure to stop at all corners and watch at driveways and alleys.
Check that your bike is ready to ride. Keep your tires inflated, seat properly adjusted and make sure brakes and gears are operating correctly. Perform an ABC Quick Check before every ride: A = Air Pressure; B = Brakes; C = Chain and Drive train; Quick = quick releases; Check = take a quick spin to ensure everything is in good working order.