By Shannon Lukens for Steamboat Radio News/Birchwood Communications LLC. File photo.

 

School is out for the summer and kids will be out and about more now.

AAA is launching an “E-Ride Ready” campaign to help parents know about the risk of kids on e-bikes and e-scooters. Here’s Skyler McKinley with AAA.

“Kids across Routt and Moffat counties are out for the summer and they’re coming out of school, and at the same time, we’ve seen this huge emergence in the popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters. They really fundamentally give kids a lot more freedom. But parents should be aware that these e-bikes and e-scooters are fundamentally different than bicycles. Because they can achieve higher speeds, there’s some specific safety considerations parents need to know about, one, before they get their kids an e-bike, and two, before they let their kids go out regularly with this new technology.”

 

AAA has released a new E-Ride Safety Guide. It’s a comprehensive free resource that helps families:

• Understand how e-bikes and e-scooters operate
• Choose helmets designed for the speed and type of device
• Identify where riders can safely and legally ride
• Set clear safety expectations before a child’s first ride:
  • Wear a helmet every ride
  • No phone use and no earbuds
  • No riding at night without lights
  • No passengers

 

Federal law says e-bikes are lower speed, with fully operable pedals with a top speed of 20 to 28 miles per hour.

Photo of e-motorcycles courtesy Steamboat Springs Police.

Some higher-speed e-motorcycles sometimes used by teenagers require a driver’s license and registration.

All of those rules in the E-Ride Safety Guide.

 

Press Release from AAA; June 2, 2026.

AAA Launches “E-Ride Ready” Campaign to Prevent E-Bike and E-Scooter Injuries

New E-Ride Safety Guide Helps Families Navigate Fast-Growing Trend Ahead of Summer

DENVER (June 2, 2026) — As e-bikes and e-scooters surge in popularity, AAA is launching its new “E-Ride Ready” campaign to help parents better understand the risks associated with these fast-moving devices and take steps to prevent serious injuries.

“E-Rides are among the most exciting new developments in both personal mobility and transportation freedom, and are already reshaping our roadways,” said Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Still, as with any transformational technology, parents are often left to figure out what’s safe, what’s allowed, and what rules to set. AAA’s E-Ride Ready campaign helps close that gap.”

At the center of the campaign is The Auto Club Group’s new E-Ride Safety Guide, a comprehensive free resource that helps families:

• Understand how e-bikes and e-scooters operate
• Choose helmets designed for the speed and type of device
• Identify where riders can safely and legally ride
• Set clear safety expectations before a child’s first ride:
  • Wear a helmet every ride
  • No phone use and no earbuds
  • No riding at night without lights
  • No passengers

This campaign comes amid growing nationwide concern about injuries involving young e-riders. An April 2026 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report found emergency-department visits tied to micromobility products rose from an estimated 37,300 in 2017 to 149,100 in 2024, roughly a fourfold increase. Over that eight-year period, CPSC estimated 698,500 total visits and recorded at least 533 deaths, with annual deaths climbing from 5 in 2017 to 135 in 2024. Medical experts say e-ride crashes commonly involve vehicles, pedestrians, and fixed objects such as curbs and mailboxes.

Helmets save lives

Helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries, per medical experts. Still, many young riders go without one – or use helmets that aren’t designed for higher-speed devices.

“Helmets can make all the difference in a crash,” McKinley said. “Parents should make sure riders wear a properly fitted helmet on every ride and ensure it matches the speed and capabilities of the device. AAA’s new E-Ride Safety Guide helps families understand the different standards – and when they apply.”

E-Ride laws vary by location

Confusion about e-bike and e-scooter laws can create additional risk for families. Rules governing rider age, helmet requirements, and where devices can operate often vary widely by jurisdiction.

Federal law generally defines a low-speed e-bike as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals, a motor less than 750 watts, and top assisted speeds ranging from 20 to 28 miles per hour, depending on classification. Some higher-speed devices commonly used by teens may fall outside traditional e-bike classifications altogether and require a driver’s license and registration.

Colorado law at a glance:

• E-bikes are classified as bicycles, not motor vehicles, so state law does not require a driver’s license, registration, or insurance.
• Colorado recognizes three classes: Class 1 and Class 2 stop providing motor assistance at 20 mph and Class 3 at 28 mph.
• Every e-bike sold in the state must carry a label showing its class, top assisted speed, and motor wattage.
• There is no minimum age for Class 1 or 2, but riders must be at least 16 to operate a Class 3 e-bike, and a child under 16 may ride a Class 3 only as a passenger.
• Anyone under 18 must wear a helmet on a Class 3 e-bike, whether operating or riding as a passenger.
• Class 1 and 2 e-bikes may ride wherever bicycles are allowed. Class 3 e-bikes are limited to roads and bike lanes and are barred from paths and trails unless the path runs within a street or a local jurisdiction expressly allows it.
• Sidewalk riding is generally permitted unless restricted locally, and riders must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing.
• In Colorado state parks, Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on trails open to bicycles, while Class 3 is restricted to roads and bike lanes.
• Local governments may set their own rules, so where you can legally ride changes from one jurisdiction to the next.
• E-bikes that are modified or exceed the class limits, meaning over 750 watts or the class speed caps, are treated as mopeds or motorcycles and may require registration and a license.
• Motorists must treat an e-bike like any other vehicle on the road and give it room. They must move fully left to pass and stay there until well clear.
• Colorado law requires at least three feet when passing a bicyclist, and AAA urges drivers to give e-bike and e-scooter riders the same margin.

AAA encourages families to fully review their state and local laws before allowing children or teens to ride. The E-Ride Safety Guide also highlights safe riding locations and encourages families to prioritize environments with less traffic and fewer hazards.

AAA’s E-Ride Ready campaign encourages families to:

1. Know the speed and capabilities of the device
2. Require properly fitted helmets, rated for the e-ride’s top speed
3. Understand where e-rides can legally and safely operate
4. Practice safe riding habits around traffic and pedestrians

The free E-Ride Safety Guide includes:

• An overview of e-bike and e-scooter types and performance differences
• Helmet guidance and safety checklists
• Tips for riding around traffic and pedestrians
• Safety conversation starters for parents and young riders
• Safety tips for drivers and e-riders

“E-bikes and e-scooters can be a fun, convenient, and engaging way to get around – but they require more awareness and responsibility than many families expect,” McKinley said. “Fundamentally, at their higher speeds, they demand considerable diligence to keep everyone safe. As with all transportation options, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

About AAA – The Auto Club Group

The Auto Club Group (ACG), named a 2026 Forbes Most Trusted Company in America, is the second-largest AAA club in North America, with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG is part of the national AAA federation, which serves more than 66 million members across the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on social media.