Your trusted source for community news
Local News Matters. We report on the meetings, neighborhoods, businesses and people shaping Farmers Branch, Addison and Carrollton. Subscribe to our free newsletter to stay informed or become a member to help keep this reporting independent.
Many teenagers without cars have long relied on bikes as a form of transportation. As those bikes become more advanced with electric motors and higher speeds, some residents express safety concerns about young riders in Carrollton and Farmers Branch.
“It would only take a moment of distraction for something tragic to happen,” said Anna Hithersay, a Carrollton resident. “I’ve heard from doctors…putting out public service announcements that the number of e-bike accidents has gone up significantly, and that they’re pretty catastrophic, like brain…and life-altering injuries.”
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, over 1.1 million e-bikes were sold in the United States in 2022, four times the amount sold in 2019. As e-bikes surge in popularity, the risk of injury increases. A study published in JAMA Surgery found that the e-bike injury and hospitalization estimates increased from 751 in 2017 to 23,493 in 2022.
To ensure riders are following appropriate safety practices, the Carrollton and Farmers Branch police departments have outlined certain rules.
According to a statement issued by Carrollton police on Facebook, “Legal e-bikes must have fully operable pedals, stay within motor and speed limits, and follow all traffic laws. Dirt bikes, pocket bikes, Sur-Ron/Talaria-style bikes and other motorized vehicles that do not meet the legal definition of an e-bike may not be operated on sidewalks, trails, parks, or public roadways unless properly registered.”
Texas law recognizes three classes of electric bikes. Class 1 e-bikes provide motor assistance only while the rider is pedaling, with assistance stopping at 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes may use a throttle and can move without pedaling, but motor assistance also stops at 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes provide pedal assistance up to 28 mph, and operators must be at least 15 years old.
According to information released by Farmers Branch police, an e-bike must have fully operable pedals, an electric motor of 750 watts or less and a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph. If a vehicle exceeds those limits, it may be considered a motorcycle, moped or other motor vehicle, and different laws apply.
Farmers Branch police also reminded riders that e-bikes are subject to the same traffic laws as traditional bicycles. Riders should obey traffic signs and signals, travel in the same direction as traffic, use lights at night, use turn signals when required, yield to pedestrians and follow posted restrictions in parks. The department also recommends helmets for safety.
Carrollton police said e-bikes are permitted on roadways, bike lanes, shared lanes and city trails unless otherwise posted. Riders should travel in the same direction as traffic, follow traffic laws and yield to pedestrians.
Despite these rules, some residents continue to see unsafe riding.
“On my street, I regularly witness unsafe riding. No helmet, no shoes. [Riders are] zipping down the street, and our street has some curves and a lot of cars parked on the road. There would be a lot of opportunities for them to miss seeing that a car is coming,” Hithersay said.
“I remember there were two kids that had e-bikes or scooters…and I heard that they got hit by a car at a crosswalk,” said Elisa Low, a mom in Farmers Branch.
Low has established certain safety rules for her family when riding e-bikes, such as wearing a helmet and wearing reflectors when riding at night. She makes sure that her kids understand traffic laws and know to stay in the right lane when riding a bike.
By practicing safety rules, riders can reduce the risk of injury and enjoy the benefits of e-bikes.
“I just get on my e-bike, go up to my mom’s house or the grocery store, come back, and it goes 20 miles an hour, and you can even adjust it to go quicker. It’s really quick and convenient for me. I love riding it too…I ride just about every day,” said Jackson Murray, an e-bike owner in Carrollton.
He initially got his e-bike so he could carry his dog, who was recovering from leg surgery to remove cancer, in a basket on the back.
As a result of his own positive experience, he also convinced his 71-year-old neighbor to get an e-trike.
“Regular bikes are nice…but e-bikes…especially when you first do it, you get that kick. I’d say it’s just really fun,” Murray said.
However, he noted the safety risks associated with young riders.
“I like to say that I make good, safe decisions, but I can understand how these kids that don’t even drive yet, if they get their hands on an e-bike, it might not be the safest for them. It’s something that drivers need to look out for too,” Murray added.
He recommends that young riders buy an Aventon, highlighting the bike’s reliability. He also recommends riding on the sidewalk, being aware of other drivers, and riding on designated trails such as the Blue Trail in Carrollton.
Police departments also caution parents to understand exactly what their children are riding. Farmers Branch police said many electric dirt bikes and e-motos are not legally classified as e-bikes and may not be operated as bicycles on public streets, sidewalks or trails unless they meet applicable motor vehicle requirements.
Farmers Branch police said legal e-bikes are limited to motors of 750 watts or less. Electric vehicles without functional pedals, those that can exceed 28 mph on motor power alone or those with motors greater than 750 watts may instead be considered motor vehicles. The department specifically warned about electric dirt bikes and e-motos that can resemble e-bikes but do not meet the legal definition.
In addition to being cautious while riding, Low notes that there could be additional changes made to improve e-bike safety.
“I know that we sort of have bike lanes around the city, but in a lot of places, it’s just a traffic lane that’s been painted with bike symbols, and I don’t really know that people expect to see bikes in those lanes,” Low said. “Ideally, I would love to see an actual bike lane…but I don’t know that we have space on our roads for that. I’d love to see more people on e-bikes because it’s going to cut down on the traffic, pollution and noise, but it’s hard because our city is not super walkable.”
Local officials are also considering ways to promote safer riding practices.
“Educating parents and riders about e-bike classifications, speeds and proper riding locations is key to preventing crashes and injuries,” Farmers Branch Police Officer Michael Britton wrote in an email.
As more young riders turn to e-bikes, following proper safety rules remains essential. Balancing the benefits of e-bikes with responsible riding can make them a safer form of transportation for young riders.
Local News Matters.
