Electric bikes and scooters are changing the way people get around, but their growing popularity brings new safety considerations for riders, drivers, and everyone sharing the road.

Those concerns have become increasingly visible here in Western and Central New York. Late last month, a 46-year-old e-bike rider was killed in a collision with a vehicle in Tonawanda. The investigation remains ongoing. According to The Buffalo News, officials say hospital admissions for e-bike-related injuries at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo are expected to double or triple this year.

To help riders and families better understand the risks, AAA The Auto Club Group recently published an E-Ride Ready Safety Guide covering e-bike and e-scooter safety, from choosing the right equipment to understanding where and how to ride safely.

Here in New York State, riders also need to understand the laws governing these devices. Whether you already ride an e-bike, are considering purchasing one or simply encounter them from behind the wheel, knowing how to safely share the road can help protect everyone.

E-bikes aren't just traditional bikes with a motor

E-bikes may look like conventional bicycles, but the addition of a motor and battery changes how they accelerate, handle, and stop.

E-bikes are heavier than traditional bicycles and can reach higher speeds with less effort from the rider. Some use pedal assist, meaning the motor engages only while the rider pedals. Others are throttle-assisted, allowing the motor to propel the bike without the rider pedaling.

Those differences make balance, steering, braking, and speed management especially important. Before riding in traffic, riders should become comfortable with the weight, acceleration and braking of an e-bike in a safe, low-traffic environment.

E-scooters have their own handling considerations. Their smaller wheels can provide less stability, while a throttle can allow them to accelerate quickly. Riders should treat an e-scooter as a form of transportation that requires proper safety equipment and responsible operation — not as a toy.

Know New York's e-bike and e-scooter laws

New York State law establishes specific rules for where and how e-bikes and e-scooters can be operated.

Under state law, an e-bike must have operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. New York recognizes three classes:

• Class 1: Pedal-assisted e-bikes. The motor provides assistance only while the rider is pedaling and stops providing assistance at 20 mph.
   
• Class 2: Throttle-assisted e-bikes. The motor can propel the bicycle without pedaling but stops providing assistance at 20 mph.
   
• Class 3: Throttle-assisted e-bikes that can provide assistance up to 25 mph. Under New York State law, Class 3 e-bikes are permitted only in New York City.
   

Riders must be at least 16 years old to legally operate an e-bike or e-scooter in New York State. Children under 16 may not operate an e-bike and may not operate or ride as a passenger on an e-scooter.

New York also sets a maximum operating speed of 15 mph for electric scooters. Riders ages 16 and 17 must wear a helmet when operating an e-scooter, while Class 3 e-bike riders of all ages are required to wear helmets.

E-bikes and e-scooters may generally be operated on highways with posted speed limits of 30 mph or less. They cannot be operated on sidewalks unless specifically authorized by local law or ordinance.

Municipalities can also adopt additional rules governing when and where e-bikes and e-scooters may be operated. That means the rules may change depending on where you ride. Before heading out, check the regulations in your community and anywhere else you plan to use an e-bike or e-scooter.

Follow the rules of the road

When operating on streets or in bike lanes, e-bike riders must follow applicable traffic laws. That includes obeying traffic lights and stop signs, following right-of-way rules, riding in the same direction as traffic, and yielding to pedestrians.

The importance of following those rules was underscored by the recent fatal collision in Tonawanda. Witnesses told police that the e-bike rider went through a red light before the collision. The investigation remains ongoing.

Ride predictably, use appropriate hand signals, avoid sudden movements, and never assume a driver has seen you.

Wear the right safety gear

A properly fitted helmet is one of the simplest and most effective ways riders can reduce their risk of serious head injury.

AAA The Auto Club Group recommends matching the helmet to the speeds you expect to reach:

• Up to 20 mph: Look for a helmet meeting the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) bicycle standard.
   
• Up to 28 mph: Consider a helmet meeting the NTA 8776 standard, which is designed for higher-speed e-bike use.
   
• Above 28 mph: A DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet provides protection designed for higher speeds.

Even when New York law doesn't require a helmet for a particular rider or e-bike class, wearing one is a smart safety precaution.

Closed-toe shoes and other protective gear, like elbow and knee pads, can provide additional protection.

Make sure you're seen

Because e-bikes and e-scooters are smaller than motor vehicles, they can be difficult for drivers to spot. Their speed can also make them arrive at an intersection or driveway sooner than a driver expects.

Use a working white front light and red rear light when riding at night or in low-light conditions, along with reflectors on the device or rider. Bright or reflective clothing can provide additional visibility.

Riders should also avoid lingering in vehicle blind spots and take extra care at intersections, driveways, and other places where vehicles may cross their path.

Choose and maintain your e-ride carefully

If you're shopping for an e-bike or e-scooter, look for a device with controls that respond smoothly and predictably and brakes that can stop the device quickly and safely.

Before taking a new device into traffic, practice accelerating, turning and braking at low speeds. Make sure the device is an appropriate size and weight for the rider and can be controlled confidently.

Battery safety is important, too. Look for products that meet recognized electrical safety standards, such as UL certification, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions for charging and use.

Some e-bikes can also be modified or "unlocked" to travel faster than their original specifications. Increasing a device's speed can affect how it handles and stops and may mean it no longer meets the legal definition of an e-bike.

Ride in the right places

Whenever possible, e-bike riders should use designated bike lanes or lower-speed streets with clear sight lines. E-scooter riders should use bike lanes where permitted or calm streets with light traffic.

Parks and trails may have their own restrictions on powered devices, so check posted rules before riding.

Sidewalks should not be treated as the default place to ride an e-bike or e-scooter. In New York, powered devices cannot be operated on sidewalks unless local law specifically permits it. Wherever riders share space with pedestrians, slow down, maintain control, and always yield to walkers.

Drivers have a role in e-bike safety, too

E-bike safety isn't solely the responsibility of riders. As these devices become more common, drivers should expect to encounter them on local roads, in bike lanes and at intersections.

When you're behind the wheel:

• Stay focused. Avoid distractions and keep your attention on the road.
   
• Check before turning or reversing. E-bike and e-scooter riders can be difficult to see in mirrors and blind spots.
   
• Expect faster movement. An e-bike may approach an intersection or driveway more quickly than a traditional bicycle.
   
• Watch bike lanes carefully. Look for riders before turning across a bike lane or opening a vehicle door.
   
• Give riders space. Leave plenty of room when passing and don't crowd riders or bike lanes.
   
• Slow down. Use extra caution in neighborhoods, near parks and trails, and anywhere cyclists and pedestrians are likely to be present.

For more information on choosing and using an e-bike or e-scooter safely, check out AAA The Auto Club Group's E-Ride Ready Safety Guide.

READ SAFETY GUIDE

And if you're interested in purchasing an e-bike or accessories, AAA Members save at all Bert's Bikes locations in Western and Central New York.

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