By Jurgen Hess
E-bikes are everywhere, sweeping us off our feet. But are they safe for young riders?
The New York Times published an in-depth article on this question Nov. 30. The article’s impetus was a recent accident in Marin County, California, that almost killed a 15-year-old girl.
E-bikes weigh up to 50 pounds and can reach speeds of 30 miles per hour. They are more akin to a motorcycle than a conventional manual bicycle.
Marin County, California, looked into the question of e-bike safety with a number of studies. Those studies found that the chances of dying in an e-bike accident were 11% where chances of dying in a regular manual bike accident were less than 1%. Due to their speed and weight, injuries in an e-bike accident were much more severe than injuries from a conventional bicycle accident, and when an e-bike collides with a pedestrian, severe injuries or death are likely. From 2017-2022, head injuries in e-bike accidents increased 49-fold in Marin County.
What about the age of people involved in e-bike accidents? The Marin County study found that e-bike accidents are nine times higher for youth than riders over 20 years of age.
What are e-bike rules in Oregon? The State of Oregon, Hood River and The Dalles have a minimum age of 16 to ride/drive an e-bike. Furthermore, e-bikes are limited to a maximum speed of 20 mph and cannot be used on sidewalks. E-bike riders also must use a safety helmet.
“E-bikes are really motorcycles. Kids exceed their riding skills; they push the limits,” said Hood River Police Chief Neal Holste. “The severity of accidents with e-bikes is higher.”
Holste said Hood River police have ramped up enforcement of the rules; he believes that has helped. Police have given tickets to e-bike riders who have violated the laws. He said that the minimum age for e-bike riders should be kept at 16.
A Nov. 3 article from Uplift Local and printed in Columbia Gorge News featured Megan Ramey proposing changing rules to allow e-bikes for young children. No mention was made of the dangers and the potential for significant and fatal accidents for young children from e-bikes.
We need to understand the dangers of e-bikes and protect our children. Just like driving vehicles, handling firearms and drinking alcohol, there need to rules protecting children from the hazards of e-bikes.
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Jurgen Hess, Hood River, is a father who cares about the safety of children and adults from the risks of e-bikes. His background includes chairing the Hood River City Planning Commission and being on a committee that recommended Hood River parks and recreation opportunities, including safe bicycling routes. Professionally, Hess is a photojournalist.
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