Before you say yes to an e-bike or electric scooter, ask these 5 questions

"Can I get an e-bike?" It sounds like a simple ask, especially if your child's friends already have one or having one would make it easier for them to get to school and practice without asking you for a ride.

After all, an e-bike looks like a regular bicycle. Two wheels, handlebars, pedals. How different could it really be?

Very different. For kids and teens, an e-bike is not just a faster bicycle. It asks them to make quick decisions in traffic, manage speed, watch for pedestrians, and stay in control of a heavier device, and that's a lot of responsibility for a young rider.

"Many riders and parents just do not realize the impact of how dangerous these devices can potentially be," says Ivana Fukumoto, NP, a pediatric provider at Intermountain Health District Clinic-Pediatrics in Henderson. "Injuries related to e-bikes and scooters are more severe and can resemble motorcycle injuries at times compared to traditional bicycles and scooters."

So before you say yes, pause and ask these five questions first.

1. Does the e-bike or electric scooter fit my child's age and size?

One of the biggest safety gaps Fukumoto, NP sees is an age and device mismatch.

"Many e-bikes are designed for 16+ but younger kids are riding them. So ensure whichever e-bike is chosen is the right fit."

That fit matters more than parents often realize. An e-bike that's too large, too heavy, or too fast can be hard for a child to control, and even if your child can balance on it, they may not be ready to stop quickly, turn safely, or respond when a car, curb, dog, or pedestrian suddenly appears.

Start with the manufacturer's age, weight, and size guidance. Then look beyond the label and check whether your child can:

• Comfortably reach the brakes
• Stop without wobbling
• Get on and off the e-bike easily
• Handle the e-bike without the motor turned on

If they can't do even one of these, and especially if it's more than one, they need more time, more practice, or a different device.

2. Can your child handle an e-bike or e-scooter at faster speeds?

E-bikes can reach 20 to 30 miles per hour. That may not sound fast compared to a car, but it's very fast for a child on two wheels.

At that speed, kids have less time to react, and drivers have less time to notice them. Pedestrians often don't expect a bike to move so quickly, and because e-bikes are heavier than regular bikes, it can be harder to stop or steer when something goes wrong.

Fukumoto, NP says speed and weight are two of the biggest reasons e-bike crashes can lead to more serious injuries than traditional bike crashes.

So don't just ask, "Will you be careful?" before your child heads out on their own. Tell them what speed they're allowed to use, explain what they should do near driveways, intersections, parks, and sidewalks, and ask how much space they need to stop. If they can't walk you through it, they need more practice.

3. Does your child understand traffic rules?

Fukumoto, NP says kids and teens ages 10 to 17 are commonly seen with scooter and e-bike injuries. This age group is old enough to want independence but still developing the decision-making skills needed for traffic, speed, and peer pressure.

"This group tends to have higher rates of risk taking and riding in groups," she says.

That matters because kids often ride differently with friends than they do alone. They may speed up, follow too closely, carry a passenger, ignore a stop sign, or take a shortcut through a crowded area. A child who rides carefully on their own can make very different choices when a group is moving fast.

Before your child rides, make sure they can explain the basics back to you: stop at stop signs, ride predictably, watch for pedestrians, use lights at dusk or night, and slow down in crowded areas. They should also know where they're allowed to ride, and where they're not.

In Henderson and Las Vegas, legal e-bikes must have working pedals, use pedal assist, and be limited to 28 miles per hour. In addition, riders must consider the following:

• Riders under 18 are required to wear helmets.
• Throttle-only bikes without pedals may be classified as illegal e-motorcycles and are banned from sidewalks, trails, and paths.
• Fines can range from $150 to $600, and parents may be held financially responsible for their children.
• E-bikes are also not allowed on the Strip or in busy pedestrian areas.

Rules can change by city, trail, school, or neighborhood, so check local guidance before your child rides.

4. Will your child wear a helmet every time?

This one should be simple: no helmet, no ride.

"Helmet use is much lower with electric scooters and e-bikes than with traditional bicycles," Fukumoto, NP says. But helmets are one of the most important ways to protect kids from the most serious injuries.

"Helmets significantly reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury and fatal outcomes," she says.

Head injuries are the biggest concern in e-bike and scooter crashes, and in severe cases they can include concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and skull fractures.

A helmet should sit level on your child's head, fit snugly, and stay buckled. If it slides back, tips forward, or moves side to side, it doesn't fit correctly. And if your child crashes while wearing it, replace it. A helmet is designed to absorb impact once, and after that it may not protect the same way again.

5. Has your child practiced before riding near cars or crowds?

You probably wouldn't hand your teen the car keys and send them straight into traffic on day one. E-bikes deserve the same step-by-step approach. Fukumoto, NP says younger riders need supervision and practice in low-traffic areas first, similar to how teens learn to drive. Start somewhere quiet, and have your child practice starting, stopping, turning, braking, signaling, and slowing down before they ever cross a street or approach a group of people. Add more complex situations over time as they build confidence. 

It also helps to set family rules before the first ride, for example:

• One rider per device unless it's built for more
• Use lights and wear reflective gear at night
• Don’t use your phone or wear headphones while riding
• No riding with friends until they’ve shown they can make safe choices alone

Keep in mind, most crashes are not caused by one thing. They tend to happen when speed, inexperience, distraction, poor road conditions, riding at night, no helmet, or carrying passengers all come together at once. That mix is exactly why readiness matters.

Know when an e-bike crash needs medical care

Even with good rules, crashes can still happen.

Get medical care right away if your child loses consciousness, vomits, seems confused, has a severe headache, has vision changes, has neck pain, has trouble walking, feels weak or numb, or has an injury that looks severe.

Also, if your child hits their head and just seems "off" afterward, it's better to get checked.

Help your child ride e-bikes and e-scooters safely and confidently

E-bikes and electric scooters can give kids freedom, but freedom works best when it comes with limits, practice, and safety habits that are not up for debate.

At Intermountain Health, pediatric providers like Fukumoto, NP help families think through everyday health and safety decisions before they turn into emergencies. That includes helping parents understand what kids are ready for, what risks to watch for, and when to seek care after a crash.

So before you say yes to an e-bike, make sure your child has the right device, the right helmet, the right rules, and the right practice.

That's how you help them enjoy the ride and make it home safely.