Micromobility vehicles are smaller, low-speed vehicles intended for personal transportation. These devices can be any small, low-speed, electric-powered transportation device, including electric-assist bicycles (e-bikes), electric scooters (e-scooters), and other small, lightweight, wheeled electric-powered conveyances.
Children are at higher risk of accidents.
Children 14 and younger accounted for 36% of all Micromobility injuries in 2022.
That is 2 times their share of the U.S. population (18%).
Why are young riders at greater risk of accidents?
- Lack of experience.
Young riders often lack traffic experience, road safety awareness, and motor skills to handle the vehicle safely. - Lack of helmet use.
Most young riders do not wear properly rated helmets, increasing the risk of series head injuries. - Speed and control.
E-bike and e-scooters travel at speeds children are not equipped to manage safely. - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendation.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children under 16 should not operate motorized scooters.
E-bicycle rules in Los Angeles County
- Minimum age.
Riders must be at least 16 years old to operate a Class 3 e-bicycle. - E-bicycle classification. There are three classes of classification:
Class 1: Pedal-assist only, up to 20 mph.
Class 2: Throttle-assist, up to 20 mph.
Class 3: Pedal-assist only, up to 28 mph. - Helmet required.
Helmets are required for ALL riders under 18.
Helmets are required for all riders for class 3 vehicles. All Class 3 riders and passengers must wear a helmet. - Ride in the right place.
Ride in bike lanes when available. If no bike lane, ride as far right as practicable. Follow all traffic laws and signals.
Sources:
California Attorney General – E-Bike Laws and Safety: oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/too-fast-too-furious-attourney-general-bonta-california-district-attorneys-issue
California Department of Motor Vehicles – Motorcycles, Mopeds & E-Bikes: dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/motorcycles-mopeds-and-scooters/
CalBike – California E-Bike Classifications: www.Calbike.org/california-e-bike-classifications/
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
https://www.cpsc/.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Micromobility-Information-Center Micromobility Products-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns (2017-2023)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-education-centers/micromobility-information-center micromobility Products-related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns (2017-2023)
https://www.transportation.gov/rural/electric-vehicles/ev-toolkit/electric-micromobility
