E-bike injuries soar 300% as US cities scramble for safety laws
E-bike injuries have surged across the US, sparking calls for stricter regulations. In San Diego alone, injuries among riders under 18 jumped 300% between 2019 and 2023. Meanwhile, federal laws still treat most e-bikes like traditional bicycles, leaving many riders without mandatory helmets, licences, or insurance.
One high-profile case in Minnesota pushed a local community to tighten its rules after a severe crash left a woman fighting for her life.
In June 2024, Janet Stotko was struck by a 14-year-old riding an e-bike at 25 mph in Hastings, Minnesota. The collision left her unconscious with a fractured skull, brain injuries, and a broken eardrum. She spent two days on a ventilator, underwent emergency brain surgery, and remained hospitalised for three weeks.
Stotko's recovery led her to campaign for tougher local laws. Hastings officials responded by lowering the e-bike speed limit, banning their use on sidewalks, and introducing fines for violations. Nationwide, e-bike injuries have climbed sharply. A University of California, San Francisco study found that rider injuries nearly doubled every year from 2017 to 2022. The rise coincides with faster models entering the market—some e-motos now reach 40 mph, blurring the line between bicycles and motorcycles. Regulations vary widely by state. Connecticut tightened its laws in October 2023, making helmets compulsory for all e-bike riders and requiring a driver's licence for high-powered models. New York City also acted, capping e-bike speeds at 15 mph. Yet federal rules still classify most e-bikes as nonmotorised vehicles, meaning no licence, insurance, or helmet is required in many areas. E-bikes are split into three classes based on speed: Class 1 (20 mph, pedal-assist), Class 2 (20 mph with throttle), and Class 3 (28 mph, pedal-assist). However, older data from 2011—showing 22 states had child helmet laws—offers little clarity on current e-bike rules.
The push for stricter e-bike laws continues as injuries rise and communities respond to accidents. Some states, like Connecticut, have already imposed helmet mandates and licensing for powerful models. Others, including New York City, now enforce speed limits. But with federal rules still treating most e-bikes like regular bicycles, the debate over safety and regulation remains unresolved.
