Why Awareness Matters More Than Speed When E-Bikes Feel Too Fast

The rise of e-bikes has changed cycling forever, but safety still depends on the choices we make.

Image, cropped by author, courtesy of Fahrbike Official on Unsplash

I recently read an op-ed on Streetsblog NYC titled What Do You Call a Cyclist Who’s Been Hit By an E-Biker? The author reflected on safety and awareness after being struck by an e-Citi Bike, a NYC bike-share e-bike. The program’s success has brought countless new riders to the streets, but many are unfamiliar with cycling etiquette, rules of the road, and just how much power an e-bike motor adds.

I get it. A few years ago, I added an e-bike to my stable. At 71, it was a game-changer; cycling felt more enjoyable and more accessible. But along with that freedom comes responsibility. As the op-ed author pointed out, just a couple of extra miles per hour can make the difference between a smooth ride and a dangerous situation.

E-bikes are here to stay, and the numbers prove it. U.S. sales are projected to reach $7.16 billion by 2030, with older adults still the largest group of buyers, but younger riders catching up quickly. The downside? Emergency room visits for e-bike crashes jumped from 751 in 2017 to over 23,000 in 2022. The American College of Surgeons has even called e-bikes “an emerging public health threat.”

The basics: how e-bikes are classified

Most U.S. states treat e-bikes as bicycles rather than motor vehicles, allowing e-bikes to be used in many of the same places as traditional bikes. Some local governments further restrict the use of e-bikes on trails beyond the state law. In Ohio, the Ohio Revised Code allows e-bikes on most of the same paths as regular bikes, with distinctions based on class.

Class 1: Pedal-assist only, up to 20 mph. The motor only provides assistance when you are pedaling and stops assisting at 20 mph.

Class 2: Throttle-powered (no pedaling required), up to 20 mph. The motor can move the bike without you pedaling, stopping at 20 mph.

Class 3: Pedal-assist up to 28 mph. Like Class 1, but the motor assists up to a maximum speed of 28 mph, and riders must be at least 16 years old and wear a helmet.

These differences matter, especially on shared-use trails.

Who’s really the problem?

E-bike riders are not a solitary group. Some are seasoned cyclists adding electric assist to extend their range or keep riding despite age or health issues. Others are delivery workers, such as Uber Eats, racing against deadlines and for tips.

Many are newcomers to cycling, drawn by the technology’s benefits to the ride but lacking cycling experience. Bike-share programs can put someone who hasn’t ridden in decades on a 20-mph e-bike in seconds, an invitation for an accident.

This mix of skills and motivations leads to unpredictable encounters. Some e-cyclists are cautious and respectful. Others weave, speed, or ignore rules entirely. That inconsistency is what makes them feel, at times, too fast. Predictability is key in making a space feel safer, whether on foot, by bike, or in a car.

Speed is relative—to the place and context.

On multi-use trails, where dogs, toddlers, joggers, and casual riders share space, 20 mph is reckless in congested areas. Even a responsible e-cyclist can surprise others by gaining on them faster than expected on a pedal-powered bike.

On city streets, where traffic moves at 20–30 mph, e-bikes fit in the space. E-bikes can confuse drivers who aren’t sure how to interact with them. Hesitation at intersections, risky passing, and bikes darting through congestion add to the tension.

What can make e-biking safer?

E-bikes are here to stay, bringing both promise and problems. In response, three strategies have emerged to reduce conflicts and crashes. Each shows potential with limited success, hampered by uneven enforcement, inconsistent rules, and a lack of widespread awareness.

Speed management: Laws exist, but enforcement is rare. On trails, it’s impossible to police every rider. Park districts would need to add a sizable number of rangers as traffic enforcers to regularly patrol trails.

Class restrictions: Limiting certain e-bike types on trails could reduce risk. It risks excluding responsible riders who happen to own a class-3 e-bike for the range and not the speed. They cycle responsibly and safely at 10-12 mph.

Education: Changing bike culture is a promising solution. E-cyclists must learn to share space. Bells, hand signals, slowing in crowds, and yielding to pedestrians are simple courtesies that prevent accidents. Bike shops, local government, and active transportation can help drive this culture. Ultimately, it comes down to personal responsibility.

It’s about awareness, not rules.

We can’t control the actions of others. But we can anticipate them. Expect someone walking a dog to step into the bike’s path. Expect that a driver may open a car door without looking. Expect that a jogger wearing earbuds won’t hear your bell and reverse course.

E-bikes will only continue to grow in popularity. They make commuting, errands, and recreation more accessible than ever. But whether we’re on a traditional bike or an e-bike, the best advice is simple: slow down.

Not to win a Strava segment. Not to shave a few minutes off your commute. Not to rush home. Just slow down enough to see people, not obstacles around you.

The Streetsblog op-ed closed with wise words worth repeating.

It’s not about the wind in your hair. It’s about anticipating that the lady with a baby carriage talking on her stupid phone will walk into the bike lane. It's about not speeding the wrong way down a one-way street — startling pedestrians, drivers, and other cyclists — to get to the Citi Bike dock because you’re too lazy to circle the block or just get off the bike and walk. It’s about seeing other people. And for that, you have to slow down. — Julia Lichtblau

That’s the lesson. E-bike safety isn’t about technology or laws. It’s about how we choose to ride. As experienced cyclists, we can model safe behavior, mentor new riders, and remind each other that every shared space works best when we remember one thing:

The best safety measure isn’t written in a rulebook—it’s respect and awareness.