E-bike Safety What Every Parent Must Know About Legal Responsibilities

As a parent in 2025, you're probably familiar with the scene: Your tween or teen is begging for an e-bike or e-scooter. Their friends have them. They're eco-friendly. They're cool. And let's be honest—they look like a lot of fun.

But before you click "buy now" on that sleek new ride, there's something you should know: in most states, if your child causes an accident while riding that e-bike, you could be on the hook for thousands—or even millions—of dollars in damages. And your homeowner's insurance probably won't cover it.

The Hard Truth About E-Bike Liability

Remember when we were kids and bikes just had pedals? The legal landscape for electric micro-mobility is completely different. These aren't toys—they're vehicles that can reach speeds of 20-28 mph. That's why nearly every state has laws governing who can ride them and where.

Here's what should keep you up at night: In Los Angeles last year, the parents of an 11-year-old e-bike rider agreed to a $1.5 million settlement after their daughter's 12-year-old passenger was killed in an accident. That's not a typo—$1.5 million.

And the kicker? Standard homeowner's insurance policies typically exclude coverage for motorized vehicle accidents, leaving parents to cover these costs out-of-pocket.

Know Your State's Laws (Because Ignorance Won't Save You)

The e-bike regulatory landscape is a patchwork of state laws that most parents aren't familiar with. For example:

• In California, riders must be 16+ to operate a Class 3 e-bike (the faster ones that reach 28 mph)

• In Michigan, the minimum age for Class 3 e-bikes is 14

• In Maine, no one under 16 can ride Class 2 or 3 e-bikes

• In Connecticut, all riders under 15 must wear helmets

Breaking these laws doesn't just mean your child might get a ticket—it creates what lawyers call "negligence per se." Translation: If your child breaks an e-bike law and causes an accident, you're essentially automatically liable.

The Financial Reality Check

Let's talk money. If your child causes an accident:

1. Your homeowner's insurance likely won't cover it

2. Your umbrella policy probably excludes it too (unless you've specifically added coverage)

3. Medical bills, property damage, and potential lawsuits come straight from your pocket

4. Settlements can reach six or seven figures

As one insurance expert put it: "Parents are often shocked to learn they have zero coverage for these incidents. By the time they find out, it's too late."

Five Questions to Ask Yourself Before Your Kid Rides

1. Does my child know the rules of the road? Not just general safety, but specific e-bike regulations in our state?

2. Have they demonstrated responsible judgment?  Remember, these vehicles can reach speeds that even adults find challenging to handle.

3. Do I have the proper insurance coverage?  (Hint: You probably don't unless you've specifically added it)

4. Am I prepared for the worst-case financial scenario? Because hoping nothing goes wrong isn't a strategy. A wise woman once said….You can hope in one hand and shit in the other. 

5. Has my child received proper training? Not just a quick spin around the driveway, but comprehensive instruction on safety protocols and traffic laws.

There's a Better Way: Certification Before Liberation

This is why I created wheelWISE—a comprehensive e-bike and e-scooter safety training and certification program specifically designed for kids and teens.

Our program covers:

Expert-Led Safety Micro-Sessions  

• Police Officer: Top 3 Mistakes Teens Make & How to Avoid Them

• Firefighter: Myth or Fact: Can E-Bike Batteries Explode?

• EMT: First Aid Essentials for Crashes, Helmet fitting and safety gear

• Mental Health and Mentors: Staying Calm Under Peer Pressure

• Insurance agents: I’m only 12, how can I get a ticket? 

• Drivers Ed Teachers: Rules of the road, defensive riding, hazard recognition and avoidance 

After completing our program, your child receives a certification that demonstrates they've been properly trained—which not only helps keep them safe but can also be valuable documentation if questions of liability ever arise.

The Bottom Line

As parents, we want to say yes to our kids. We want them to have freedom, independence, and fun. But when it comes to e-bikes and e-scooters, saying yes without proper training is a gamble with potentially devastating consequences.

The good news? With the right preparation, your child can safely enjoy all the benefits these amazing vehicles have to offer. And you can sleep better knowing you've taken responsible steps to protect them—and your family's financial future.

Ready to learn more about our certification program? Visit www.wheelwiseteens.org or email wheelwisecert@gmail.com.

Because when it comes to e-bike safety, an ounce of prevention isn't just worth a pound of cure—it could be worth millions.