Increasingly popular battery power-assisted e-bikes are easier to ride, faster, and environmentally friendly. But they can be extremely dangerous too if proper precautions aren’t taken.

There are unquestionably risks associated with any activity involving speed, traffic, pedestrians, and varying road and trail conditions. And e-bikes are no exception, given they involve all of these factors.

So what are the actual dangers presented by e-bikes?

Those can be broken down loosely into categories including danger with batteries, danger due to increased speed, danger with improper assembly/operation, and danger due to lack of proper knowledge of safety precautions.

BATTERY ISSUES

Lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes, if not used correctly or if damaged, can overheat, catch fire and burn extremely hot giving off toxic gases – or even explode.

Concerning e-bike battery safety, San Diego Fire Rescue spokesperson Mónica Muñoz said: “People should read the manufacturer’s instructions to familiarize themselves with the particular product and battery that comes with it. Never add batteries to your e-bike to add more power or speed or longer battery life. This is where problems occur because the device itself is designed for the battery that comes with it, not for additional batteries.”

Muñoz noted e-bikes should not be charged overnight where they can’t be monitored, as their lithium-ion batteries need to stay within a temperature range of 32 to 105 degrees to operate safely. “Garages can quickly reach 105 degrees in the summer,” she pointed out adding, “Devices with lithium-ion batteries should not be left in the sunlight or in cars where they can easily overheat. These are common issues we see. But if the batteries and devices are used per the manufacturer’s instructions, we typically don’t see any fire hazards.”

To prevent safety problems with batteries, Muñoz advised keeping them “happy” within their safe temperature range. “iPhone batteries (and others) are designed to shut off if they get too hot or ‘unhappy,’” she said. “But some batteries don’t have that safety mechanism and will overheat and start a fire. We have seen many fires from damaged or inappropriately charged batteries. And also from batteries that are not produced in a certified environment (approved by Underwriters Laboratory). If the battery is overcharged or paired with a device or charger that it isn’t designed for – that can cause a fire.”

If your e-bike lithium-ion battery does combust, “Your best bet is to leave the room immediately and call 9-1-1, said Muñoz. She added, “Never try and extinguish such a fire as the gas emitted is toxic. These batter fires burn fast and very hot and a person without the proper safety equipment should not be in close proximity. Leave this to the professionals.”

Muñoz concluded e-bike users who follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, and keep their batteries happy by storing and charging them safely “shouldn’t have to worry about fires.”

Muñoz reminded e-bike users to never put batteries into a trash or recycle receptacle. “Batteries of any kind can be recycled at an approved facility and the City has one,” she said offering another recommendation. “Never store your micro-mobility devices (e-bikes, scooters, skateboards) in front of an exit. If your e-bike starts a fire in front of your door, you won’t be able to exit the room. There have been several cases of this happening which resulted in deaths.”

For information about battery recycling, visit sandiego.gov/batteryrecycle.

SPEED DANGERS

Battery-assisted e-bikes are faster than traditional bikes, which makes them more dangerous given greater speed translates into a greater chance of serious injury or death in accidents. The average cycling speed of a beginning cyclist on a normal bike is around 12 mph. However, e-bikes can attain a top speed of more than double that, 20 to 28 mph.

The deadly potential of riding e-bikes was underscored recently by the death of a 15-year-old boy in Encinitas who was struck by a van while riding an e-bike. The crash occurred about 6 p.m. on a weeknight when the teen was headed north on a road and changed lanes into the path of a cargo van.

Part of the increased danger caused by the increased speed of e-bikes can be attributed to the growing trend of e-bikes being ridden by younger riders not schooled on proper safety precautions. Kevin Baross, education programs manager for the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, agreed that e-bikes today are more frequently being piloted by younger riders.

“Specific cities in the county like Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Coronado have seen more visible increases in young riders,” noted Baross. “Class 1 and 2 won’t push you faster than 20 mph, and Class 2 has a hand throttle (super useful for getting up to speed from a stop),” he said.

Baross pointed out Class 3 e-bikes have a top unassisted speed of 28 mph.

As such, he noted Class 3 e-bikes are subject to “a few different rules including the requirement of a helmet no matter what your age, a minimum age of 16 to use them, and they aren’t allowed on Class 1 bike paths.”

OPERATION, SAFETY KNOWLEDGE

e-bikes are increasingly being purchased online before being self-assembled by buyers, often with insufficient knowledge of what they’re doing. To resolve this issue, Baross of San Diego County Bicycle Coalition advises prospective buyers to go in and “kick the tires” of bikes they’re interested in at brick-and-mortar shops before ordering them online. Special caution is urged for those purchasing factory-direct bikes made in foreign countries, which may have lower-quality standards for their batteries and parts that can cause problems later on.

“I never recommend that anyone buy an e-bike without riding it first,” Baross said. “These are devices that will be operating on the public right-of-way, and as such spending a little bit more money to get a quality product makes a lot of sense. We’ll always endorse visiting your local bike shop and finding a bike that fits the type of riding you plan on doing. How far is your average trip? Is this bike for commuting or recreation? Where does the power come from? Is it mounted on the wheels or on the bike itself? Is the power activated through simple crank rotation, or is it affected by torque? Is it comfortable to use?”

Tracy Sheffer, owner-partner at Pedego Electric Bikes La Jolla, 5702 La Jolla Blvd., noted everyone’s buying e-bikes today. “We’re selling them to people from age 10 all the way up to 85 or 90 for every purpose,” Sheffer said. But she agreed that sales to teen riders are becoming more problematic for numerous reasons, including lack of proper training.

“Anybody who does not have a driver’s license should get involved in getting a bicycling safety certificate offered throughout the county, so they can know the rules of the road,” Sheffer said adding safety is a paramount concern.

Pointing out teens’ parents should be intricately involved in ensuring their children get properly educated on e-bike safety, Sheffer said: “Parents assume that, because their child is in the vehicle with them, that they know the rules of the road. And children underage (for operating motor vehicles) who have not undergone bicycling safety certification do not know the rules of the road. So, they’re riding very unsafely on the roads along with other vehicles.”

Added Sheffer: “Underage e-bike riders need to be taught basic driving safety rules like how they should be positioned in the road, how to make a left turn at a four-way stop, etc. That’s where the problem really lies. They don’t know the safe way to ride. Which falls on parents to make sure they understand.”

There is one rule of the road for e-bikes and other bicyclists that is commonly overlooked, said Sheffer. “It is illegal to ride on the sidewalk in California,” she noted adding, “That law was passed for a good reason. It’s to make it safe for pedestrians to walk, which isn’t safe when they’re there along with bikes and kids and other types (skateboards, scooters) of vehicles. It’s an education piece people just don’t know.”

Sheffer talked about one of the most important things to remember about purchasing an e-bike. “Quality comes with a price,” she pointed out, advising people not to short-change themselves. “If you purchase an electric bike in order to save money, it’s almost guaranteed you’re going to have issues,” she said. “We see it every day.”

Besides, Sheffer noted it isn’t really even necessary these days to sacrifice quality for the price. “It’s (e-bikes) a growing market and getting bigger every day,” she concluded adding, “There are all kinds of tax and other financial incentives being offered now by the government to encourage residents to bike to work or school.”

RULES OF THE ROAD FOR E-BIKES

Since 2002, e-bikes have been regulated under federal law. When Public Law 107-319 was passed officially designating e-bikes as a consumer product, it subjected them to the protections and standards of similar products. It also explicitly separated them from motor vehicles.

The law, however, does not override local and state traffic laws. Because of this, individual states are allowed to enact or decline to enact, laws specifically for e-bikes.

To help regulate these varying laws, the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association has established three classes of e-bikes to differentiate between types and levels of power. This class system is useful because it gives more freedom to lower-powered bikes by allowing them in most places regular bicycles are used.

THE THREE CLASSES OF E-BIKES:

• Class 1 electric bicycle. This is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 mph. Essentially, a low-speed e-bike that performs much like a traditional bike.
• Class 2 electric bicycle. This is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 mph. Essentially, a mid-speed e-bike that carries slightly more power than a traditional bicycle.
• Class 3 electric bicycle. This is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 mph, and is equipped with a speedometer. Essentially, a higher-powered e-bike can outperform a traditional bicycle.

One of 23 states with uniform laws specifically for e-bikes, California uses the three-class system (above) and follows these e-bike regulations:

Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed wherever human-powered bicycles are allowed.

1. • Class 3 electric bicycles can be ridden on streets and roadways where traditional bicycles are permitted, including bicycle lanes, but are restricted from slower-speed areas such as multi-use paths.
   • Class 3 electric bicycles may also be subject to additional requirements, such as a minimum user age and helmet mandate.
   • Electric bicycles are not subject to any licensing, registration, or insurance requirements.