Despite a recent uptick in e-bike collisions on Rye’s roads and sidewalks — and stern warnings from police and city officials — kids are still interested in owning electric bikes and scooters.
This presents parents with a challenge: Their child wants an e-bike because “all my friends have one,” and saying no can lead to tears, anger, and ongoing conflict. But before giving in, parents should understand that e-bikes and e-scooters are not toys; they are motorized vehicles with real safety risks.
A recent study by NYU Langone Health reveals that electric bikes and scooters are increasingly contributing to serious head and spinal injuries, with affected individuals making up close to 7 percent of trauma admissions at one New York City hospital.
This research builds on prior studies, like the 2023 report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which linked e-bikes to about 53,000 ER visits and 104 deaths between 2017 and 2022. At Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, e-bikes accounted for 30 percent of pediatric trauma emergency responses in 2025 and recently became the leading cause of trauma-related admissions for children.
While all bikes have some risk associated with them, experts warn that e-bike injuries are often more serious than injuries from regular bicycles. E-bikes are also more dangerous to pedestrians, as they’re heavier and faster than non-motorized bikes. E-bikes can reach speeds up to 28 mph, while entry-level e-scooters typically travel 12 to 15 mph — significantly faster than traditional bicycles.
In Rye, as in the rest of New York state, children under 16 are prohibited from using e-bikes. The American Academy of Pediatrics says children ages 9 to 12 should not operate anything that travels faster than 10 mph, a limit most e-bikes and e-scooters exceed. It’s not all about the vehicles, either: Younger riders are more likely to take risks, ride distracted, travel in groups, and lack an awareness of traffic hazards.
So how can parents help their kids manage the social pressure around e-bikes? Teens insist that e-bikes are how their friends get around now, and they worry they’ll be left out if they don’t have one too.
If your child is pressuring you for an e-bike or e-scooter, start by helping them understand the law. For children under 16, e-bikes and e-scooters are simply not legal on public roads.
But if your child is 16 and over, it’s time for a deeper conversation about why they want one. Is it for transportation? Fun? Independence? Keeping up with friends?
Your child’s maturity level will also affect your thinking. Does your child consistently follow rules? Do they make safe choices around friends? Are they responsible with their phone? Do they understand basic traffic laws? Child development experts warn that riding an e-bike requires judgment, quick decision-making, and defensive riding skills that many teens have not yet developed.
If you do decide to allow an e-bike, start with a lower-speed, pedal-assisted Class 1 model. Set safety rules with clear consequences for breaking them. Those rules should include wearing a helmet (the law requires them for riders ages 16 and 17), riding on roads with speed limits under 30 mph, staying in the bike lane and traveling in the same direction as traffic. Those rules should also forbid your child from riding with a passenger, wearing earbuds or headphones, using a phone, or riding on sidewalks. Experts recommend practicing with your teen in a parking lot or quiet area before allowing independent riding, as well as teaching essentials such as hand signals, braking, right of way, and an awareness of others, including pedestrians and pets.
In other words: Don’t just hand over the e-bike and hope for the best.
And remember, it’s reasonable to say, “not yet.” E-bikes and e-scooters may offer independence, fun and convenience, but so do non-motorized bikes that don’t require heightened awareness and responsibility. The goal is to keep your children — and everyone around them — safe.
Lisa Dominici is executive director of the Rye Youth Council, a Rye-based nonprofit that promotes social-emotional development, strengthens resilience, and supports youth mental health.
