New Utah e-bike laws are coming: what St. George families should know

In St. George, Utah, it’s easy to see why kids want to ride. Sunny weather, neighborhood streets, bike paths, and places like Washington Wheels Park make it possible for families to be outside almost all year. E-bikes and e-scooters can be part of that fun, but they also move faster than many kids, teens, and parents realize.

That’s why Utah’s updated electric mobility law, House Bill 381 (HB 381), is so important. Starting May 6, 2026, the new law will add clearer rules for e-bikes, e-scooters, and higher-powered electric devices – including helmet requirements for riders under 21, age restrictions, and clearer limits around speed and power.

For families in Southern Utah, this is a good time to reset expectations before the next ride.

“E-bike and e-scooter related injuries are skyrocketing nationwide, as these modes of transportation are becoming more and more accessible and popular among kids and teenagers,” says Devan Stucki, MD, a pediatrician at Intermountain Health and St. George Regional Hospital. “Those trends are even more prevalent here in St. George given our year-round sunny weather and how easy it is to be outside all the time.”

What Utah’s new e-bike law means for kids

Utah’s updated electric mobility law gives families clearer rules for e-bikes, e-scooters, and higher-powered electric devices.

For parents, one of the biggest changes is helmet use. Riders under age 21 must wear a helmet when operating e-bikes or e-scooters on public roads.

The law also makes device categories clearer. Standard e-bikes are still treated like bicycles when they meet Class 1, 2, or 3 definitions. But higher-powered devices that exceed speed or power limits may be classified as e-motorcycles and subject to stricter rules.

Legal e-bikes must have motors of 750 watts or less and cannot exceed 20 miles per hour without pedaling. Devices that can go faster than 20 miles per hour may require a driver’s license and motorcycle endorsement.

Age restrictions also remain in place:

• Children under 8 cannot ride.
• Riders under 14 must be supervised.
• Riders under 16 cannot operate a Class 3 e-bike. 

And impairment laws apply, too. Riding an electric mobility device while impaired can result in DUI charges.

The takeaway for families is simple: before your child rides, know what kind of device they’re using, how fast it can go, where they’re allowed to ride, and what safety rules apply. 

Why e-device speeds change the injury risk

“Speed is far and away the biggest difference maker in e-bike and e-scooter injuries compared to regular bikes and scooters,” Dr. Stucki says. “The faster a kid is traveling when they crash and get injured directly increases their chance of a serious injury, especially head trauma.”

A regular bike or scooter still comes with risk. But e-devices can move much faster than many kids are used to. E-scooters often max out around 15 miles per hour, while e-bikes can reach 20 to 40 miles per hour, depending on the model.

At those speeds, kids have less time to react. Cars have less time to see them. Pedestrians may not expect them to arrive so quickly. And even a small mistake, like turning too sharply, riding over gravel, missing a stop sign, or riding too close to a friend, can lead to a much bigger injury.

What makes e-device injuries more serious

Dr. Stucki says medical caregivers feel fortunate when injuries are limited to cuts, scrapes, sprains, dislocations, or broken bones. Those injuries can still be painful and disruptive, but head injuries are the biggest concern.

“Often times, head injuries or traumatic brain injuries occur which are the most serious and can drastically change a child's life,” Dr. Stucki says.

Dr. Stucki also notes that e-devices are tied to a 60% higher risk of hospitalization, more than double the risk of ICU admission, and a 25% to 30% higher chance of traumatic brain injury. They can also carry a higher risk of internal organ injury.

That’s why it’s so important that kids need the right device, the right safety gear, and enough practice before they ride near traffic, crowds, or higher-speed areas.

Make helmets the first rule when riding on an e-bike or e-scooter

If your family only changes one thing, start with helmets.

“Helmet use is alarmingly low among all wheeled sport riders, and this includes e-devices,” Dr. Stucki says. “Recent studies have shown that less than half of kids involved in an e-bike injury were using a helmet, and in e-scooter injuries only 1/3 were using a helmet.”

That’s especially concerning because helmets work.

“Helmets reduce the risk of head and brain injuries by up to 90%, and this is even more important on e-devices where the kids are crashing at higher speeds and are at higher risk of serious injury,” Dr. Stucki says.

A helmet should meet safety standards for e-bikes and e-scooters (regular bicycle helmets aren’t safe enough) and fit snugly without rocking forward or backward. It should sit level on the head and stay buckled during every ride. 

And if your child crashes while wearing it, replace it. Helmets are made to absorb impact, and they may not protect the same way after a crash.

Help kids build skills before they ride e-bikes and scooters in busy areas

Riding safely takes maturity, judgment, and practice.

Dr. Stucki says parents should think about their child’s ability to follow traffic rules, make safe choices, and understand what can happen at higher speeds. Younger riders may not yet understand how quickly a crash can happen or how to ride safely near cars.

He recommends giving kids time to practice in safe places before they ride on roads or around traffic. Practice starting, stopping, turning, braking, and looking both ways before crossing. Then slowly add more complex situations as your child shows they can handle them.

Parents should set clear rules for neighborhoods, parks, bike lanes, and multi-use paths. They should also remind kids to ride with the flow of traffic, watch for pedestrians, and slow down around other riders.

Watch for risky e-bike and e-scooter riding habits

Common risky behaviors include riding without helmets, wearing improper footwear, riding double, going too fast, riding at night without proper lighting, riding into traffic, riding on sidewalks, giving in to peer pressure, and not having enough experience.

Riding with friends can be fun, but it can also lead kids to take risks they might not take alone. For example, one child speeds up, and the others follow. Or someone dares another rider to try a jump. Or an entire group cuts across a street without stopping.

Set the rules before the ride starts:

• One rider per device
• No riding at night without lights
• No headphones
• No phone use while riding
• No high-speed riding in crowded areas

Let’s keep our community’s kids active and safer

E-bikes, e-scooters, and wheeled sports can be a great way for kids to stay active, spend time outside, and enjoy everything St. George has to offer. The goal isn’t to take that away. It’s to help families build safer habits around it.

At Intermountain Health, pediatricians like Dr. Stucki help families make everyday choices that protect children’s physical, mental, and emotional health. E-bike safety is part of that bigger picture: giving kids room to grow, explore, and have fun while helping them understand the responsibility that comes with speed.

With Utah’s new law going into effect, now is the right time to talk with your child, check their helmet, review the rules, and practice together.