Hi, this is Dr. Rosenbloom, and I want to share essential safety information about e-bikes and e-scooters.
Every week in my practice, at least one parent asks me about e-bikes or e-scooters. Their child desperately wants one — and honestly, I understand why. These devices are fun, practical, environmentally friendly, and, for older teens, they can provide a real sense of independence.
But I’m also seeing what happens when things go wrong.
As a pediatrician, I feel a responsibility to help families understand both the benefits and the risks before making a decision. E-bikes and e-scooters can absolutely be used safely, but they are not simply “regular bikes with motors.” They are faster, heavier, and less forgiving when accidents happen.
Here’s what I want Oregon families to know about e-bikes and e-scooters, especially when it comes to operational safety and risk of injury.
What Oregon Law Currently Says
To understand the variations in bicycles, scooters, and related options, I recommend visiting Oregon.gov’s guide to Micromobility, Moped & Minimotorcycles. I also suggest bookmarking the Oregon DMV Bicycle Page, which also provides information about electric bikes and electric scooters.
Oregon’s rules around electric micromobility devices have evolved quickly — almost as quickly as the devices themselves. Here’s where things stand as of 2026:
E-Bikes (Class 1, 2, and 3)
Oregon adopted a three-class e-bike system in January 2025. In March 2026, Governor Tina Kotek signed an amendment to HB 4007 that lowered the minimum age for operating a Class 1 e-bike from 16 to 14 years old.
- Class 1 e-bikes provide pedal assistance up to 20 mph.
- Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes, which can go faster and may include throttle assistance, still require riders to be at least 16 years old.
E-Scooters
The minimum legal age to operate an e-scooter on Oregon roads and bike paths is currently 16 years old.
It’s also worth noting that in addition to the state’s laws, each city and municipality has the ability to create its own regulations and safety guidelines for e-bikes and e-scooters. Parents and children should familiarize themselves with their local authorities’ regulations before hitting the road.
Helmet Requirements
Oregon law requires all riders under 16 to wear a helmet when operating an e-bike. Helmets are always required to ride on an e-scooter, regardless of age. As a pediatrician, I strongly recommend helmets for riders of all ages, every single ride.
If you’re in the market for a new helmet, check out Dr. Ryan Hassan’s Basic Bike Safety Part 1 Video, where he shares tips on the importance of wearing a helmet and how to ensure your family’s helmets fit properly.
As long as you’re at it, make it a trifecta and watch PANW’s Bike Safety Video 2 and Bike Safety Video 3, which can be an objective way to share essential information with older children who are less likely to tune out when the information is coming from someone other than their parents.
Where Can They Ride?
E-bikes and e-scooters may generally be used in bike lanes and on shared-use paths, but not on sidewalks. If there is no bike lane available, riders may use the roadway with traffic. Again, some cities and counties have additional restrictions, so it’s always worth checking local regulations.
A Note About “Imposter” E-Bikes
One important update in Oregon’s newer legislation addresses the growing number of high-powered vehicles marketed as “e-bikes” that don’t actually meet legal e-bike definitions.
Some of these devices are essentially electric motorcycles or dirt bikes. Oregon law now makes it a Class D traffic violation to sell or lease non-compliant vehicles as e-bikes. For parents shopping online, this matters more than you might think.
E-Bike & E-Scooter Injuries: What I’m Seeing in the Clinic — and in the ER
I want to be honest about why I’m writing this.
The injury data surrounding e-bikes and e-scooters is concerning, and the trend is moving in the wrong direction.
Nationally, children under 15 account for more than one-third of all e-bike and e-scooter injuries, despite representing a much smaller share of riders overall. At Stony Brook Children’s Hospital in New York, micromobility-related admissions increased by more than 900% between 2023 and 2025, eventually becoming the leading cause of pediatric trauma admissions.
Oregon is seeing the same pattern. The Oregon Health Authority reported more than 500 e-bike injuries treated in hospitals and emergency departments in 2025 alone, with numbers continuing to rise each year.
E-Bike & E-Scooter Injuries Are Often Serious.
At Children’s Hospital Colorado, nearly half of pediatric e-bike and e-scooter trauma patients had injuries involving the head, neck, or face. When a child falls from an e-bike traveling 20 mph, the force of impact is dramatically greater than a typical bicycle crash. With e-scooters, we frequently see broken wrists, fractured arms, ankle injuries, and concussions.
The most severe accidents usually involve motor vehicles — especially at intersections, while crossing busy roads, or during low-visibility times like early morning or dusk.
My Guidance for Oregon Families
If your children have e-bikes or e-scooters, or you’ve been thinking about purchasing one for them, here are my recommended guidelines:
1. Respect the Age Limits — They Exist for a Reason
I know many 12- or 13-year-olds seem mature and responsible. But these age limits were not chosen randomly.
Younger adolescents generally have slower reaction times, less experience judging traffic speed and distance, and less-developed impulse control. Research consistently shows that middle-school-aged children account for a large percentage of serious injuries.
The legal minimum age should be viewed as a floor, not a recommendation. This is a great opportunity to link proven responsibility at home/school as a sign a child is ready (see more about that in #6).
2. Helmets Should Be Non-Negotiable
Oregon law requires helmets for riders under 16, but my recommendation is simple: every child and teenager should wear a helmet on every ride, without exception.
And not all helmets are created equal. Because e-bikes travel at higher speeds, families should consider helmets specifically rated for e-bike use, ideally with more facial coverage or a chin guard.
One of the most frustrating things physicians see after a preventable head injury is hearing, “They usually wear a helmet.” I can assure you, usually isn’t enough.
3. Match the Device to the Child
If your 14- or 15-year-old is ready for an e-bike, a Class 1 bike is the safest place to start. Pedal-assist bikes with a 20 mph limit are much easier for young riders to manage safely.
Higher-speed Class 3 bikes add substantially more risk, especially for inexperienced riders. And, if a device looks more like a motorcycle than a bicycle, it probably should not be treated like one.
4. Practice Before Riding Around Traffic
Before riding on roads or crowded shared paths, kids should spend time practicing in low-traffic environments like parking lots, parks, or quiet neighborhood streets.
E-bikes accelerate differently, brake differently, and handle differently than traditional bicycles. They are also heavier, which can make sudden stops and turns more difficult for younger riders.
Confidence should come after practice — not before.
5. E-Scooters Need More Than Just a Helmet
For e-scooters, I strongly recommend wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads in addition to a helmet. Scooter riders instinctively try to catch themselves during falls, which is why wrist fractures are incredibly common.
Protective gear may not look “cool,” but neither does six weeks in a cast.
6. Set Clear Family Rules
Every family should have clear expectations before a child starts riding.
Some rules I encourage parents to consider:
- No riding after dark without lights and reflective gear.
- No passengers.
- No phones or earbuds while riding.
- No sidewalk riding.
- Stop fully at intersections.
- Ride defensively around cars.
These aren’t about being overly strict. They’re about reducing the chances of a life-changing injury.
7. Talk Honestly About Traffic
One of the biggest dangers with e-bikes is that they move faster than drivers expect.
Many drivers see a bicycle and assume it’s traveling at traditional bike speeds. Teens need to understand that cars may misjudge their speed, fail to notice them entirely, or turn unexpectedly at intersections.
I encourage families to teach one simple rule: never assume a driver sees you. Eye contact matters. Slowing down matters. Defensive riding matters.
8. Have them complete an e-bike/e-scooter safety program
Several organizations offer e-bike and e-scooter safety courses geared for youth. For example, Commute Options offers both in-person and downloadable courses. The League of American Cyclists also offers an online e-bike course.
I also recommend visiting the City of Portland’s Summer of Safe Riding page, where you can learn more about safety recommendations and glean information about the best (and safest) places to ride around Portland.
A Final Word
I’m not anti–e-bike or anti–e-scooter. In fact, I would love to see more teenagers using e-bikes instead of relying on cars for short trips. They can promote independence, reduce traffic, and help kids stay active. But these devices are powerful, and many families are still learning how to use them safely.
My goal isn’t to scare parents or tell kids “no.” My goal is to help families make informed decisions with open eyes and realistic expectations.
- Know the law.
- Invest in good safety gear.
- Practice before riding in traffic.
And most importantly, keep the conversation going with your kids; the safest riders are usually the ones whose families talked about safety long before the first ride.
