This is a guest blog post by Victoria Carlborg, a Community Advocate from California.

If you drive in nearly any urban, suburban or rural community around the country, you have probably noticed that you’re sharing the road with electric bicycles. A fun, affordable and environmentally friendly way to get around, commute and deliver goods, I can understand why you would want to own an e-bike and buy them for your kids. In sunny Southern California, however, helping my teenager practice driving a car with her learner’s permit can be distracting enough without having to navigate around a group of fellow teens zipping in and out of traffic unexpectedly.

As e-bikes grow in popularity, they’re changing how we share the road — and creating new types of distractions for drivers. While e-bikes are eco-friendly and convenient, they introduce new safety challenges for both drivers and riders. E-bikes can distract drivers by accelerating faster than traditional bikes, yet are quieter than motorcycles, leading to drivers misjudging their speed and creating dangerous situations for both drivers and riders.

While most e-bike riders follow the rules of the road, many riders weave through traffic, ride on sidewalks, ignore traffic lights, and even ride while under the influence. I also take care of an elderly relative and recently had to push his wheelchair out of the way into traffic before an intoxicated-behaving e-bike rider careened into us on a public sidewalk.

Indeed, the integration of e-bikes into our transportation systems, though beneficial, has inadvertently created new forms of driver distraction that necessitate further research, policy, design, and educational interventions. Traffic safety studies by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, for example, have found that driver behaviors such as “distraction, impairment, and aggressive driving” are key risk factors for vulnerable road users, including bicyclists (“Understanding the Problem,” NHTSA, 2023).

Insight from both quantitative and qualitative data has helped local law enforcement educate the public. Here in California, Assemblymember Laurie Davies recently spearheaded two e-bike laws in California. AB 544 requires all e-bikes to have both a front and a rear light when in operation, with the rear light or reflector needing to be visible from 500 feet at night. AB 545 prohibits the sale of software or devices that illegally modify e-bikes to go faster than the legal speed limits.

Small changes in education can make a big impact to reduce distractions, crashes,  injuries and fatalities so we can all arrive at our destination safely.

Safety Tips for E-Bikes and Drivers

Drivers:

• Use Turn Signals: Always signal your intentions to make it clear to e-bike riders and other drivers.
• Check Blind Spots: E-bikes can be quiet and may not be easily visible, so always check your blind spots before changing lanes.
• Maintain a Safe Distance: Keep a safe distance from e-bikes, especially in urban areas where they may maneuver around traffic.

• Stay alert for e-bikes near intersections and bike lanes.
• Avoid assumptions about speed — treat e-bikes like motor vehicles.

E-Bike Riders:

• Follow traffic laws and signal intentions clearly.
• Use lights responsibly and stay visible without creating glare.
• Wear a Helmet: Always wear a helmet for protection, even if it’s not legally required in your area.
• Be Predictable: Ride in a straight line and avoid swerving to prevent confusing drivers.
• Stay Off Sidewalks: Unless designated for bikes, it’s safer to stay on the road or in bike lanes rather than riding on sidewalks.

Policymakers:

• Invest in Infrastructure: Advocate for more dedicated bike lanes and crosswalks to enhance safety for both drivers and e-bike riders.
• Educational Campaigns: Support initiatives that educate both drivers and cyclists about road sharing rules and safety practices.

Victoria Carlborg

Community Advocate

California