Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-woman-riding-a-bike-down-a-sidewalk-TWhMC6KO_4Y
As a former paramedic and nurse, and the wife of a firefighter, I’ve spent a lot of my life responding to emergencies. My husband Dan and I have seen first-hand the devastation these kinds of accidents have on families. Not statistics, real families, real kids, real consequences that last far longer than the injury itself.
Our eldest is 11, and the e-bike conversation is coming. I can feel it. And while he doesn’t have one yet, I’m already thinking about it differently to how most parents might, because of what I’ve seen.
They’re faster than you think
A standard e-bike can assist up to 25km/h, and some unregulated models go considerably faster. At those speeds, a fall isn’t just a graze. It’s a potential head injury, a broken collarbone, or worse. We know from experience what high-speed impacts do to the body. The injuries at those speeds look different from regular bike injuries, and they happen to kids who ride confidently and often.
The helmet conversation matters more now
I know every parent has had the helmet argument. But on an e-bike, the stakes are higher. A standard cycling helmet is designed for lower-impact falls. If your child is riding an e-bike regularly, it’s worth looking at helmets rated for higher speeds. It’s one of the simplest upgrades you can make.
Confidence isn’t the same as skill
This one is the hardest to talk about. Kids who are naturally confident on bikes often jump on an e-bike and feel completely in control immediately. That confidence can actually be a risk factor. The acceleration, the weight, the braking distances all behave differently. A child who’s brilliant on a pushbike still needs time to adjust.
Road rules aren’t optional
Most kids don’t know the rules that apply to them on an e-bike, and honestly, many parents don’t either. In NSW, e-bikes are classified as bicycles, which means footpath rules and road rules all apply. Age restrictions are also on the way, with the NSW Government currently reviewing a minimum riding age for kids.
What you can do right now
Dan and I didn’t wait for something to go wrong before taking this seriously, and you don’t have to either. Here are a few practical starting points.
Have the conversation early. Before your child gets on an e-bike, talk through the road rules together. In NSW, e-bikes are treated as bicycles, so the same rules apply, including where they can and can’t ride.
Check the helmet. Make sure it’s appropriate for the speed your child will be travelling. Not all helmets are equal, and it’s worth doing a little research before assuming the one in the garage is suitable.
Look for a safety course. There are resources and structured courses available for young riders that go beyond the basics. A quick search for e-bike or cycling safety programs in your area is a great place to start. Look for something that’s actually engaging for kids, not just a brochure they’ll never read.
And finally, don’t let confidence substitute for preparation. The kids most at risk are often the ones who feel most in control. Give them the knowledge to match that confidence, and they’ll be genuinely safer for it.
About the Author
Mary is a co-founder of BikeHero, an e-bike safety education platform for teens and tweens on the Northern Beaches, currently in beta. With a background as a paramedic and nurse, and a mum to four boys, she’s passionate about helping families ride safely and confidently. Learn more and join the waitlist at bikehero.au.