As electronic bikes and scooters take over neighborhood streets, AAA – The Auto Club Group is rolling out a new “E-Ride Ready” campaign aimed at helping parents manage the safety risks of these fast-moving devices.
The initiative launches at a time of surging nationwide concern over youth injuries. According to an April 2026 report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), emergency room visits linked to micromobility products jumped from an estimated 37,300 in 2017 to 149,100 in 2024. Over that eight-year window, the CPSC estimated 698,500 total ER visits and recorded at least 533 deaths. Annual fatalities rose significantly, from 5 in 2017 to 135 in 2024. Medical professionals note that most crashes involve cars, pedestrians, or stationary obstacles like mailboxes and curbs.
“E-rides have spread so quickly that laws, infrastructure, and safety awareness haven’t kept pace,” said Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “That leaves many parents trying to figure out what’s safe, what’s allowed, and what rules to set. AAA’s E-Ride Ready campaign helps close that gap.”
To address the issue, AAA has released a free E-Ride Safety Guide. The resource is designed to help families select helmets rated for higher speeds, understand how different devices operate, identify legal riding locations, and establish ground rules before a child’s first ride.
“As e-rides become more common, younger riders are often sharing the road with traffic before they fully understand how to navigate it safely,” Jenkins said. “When you combine higher speeds with limited experience, the risk of a serious crash increases quickly. That’s why it’s critical for parents to stay involved and set clear expectations before a child rides.”
A major focus of the campaign is helmet usage. While medical experts emphasize that helmets drastically reduce head injuries, many young riders skip them or wear standard bike helmets that are not rated for the higher speeds of motorized devices.
“Helmets can make all the difference in a crash,” Jenkins said. “Parents should make sure riders wear a properly fitted helmet on every ride and ensure it matches the speed and capabilities of the device. AAA’s new free E-Ride Safety Guide helps families understand the different standards and when they apply.”
Navigating the legal landscape adds another layer of difficulty for parents, as regulations fluctuate depending on state and local boundaries. Federal guidelines generally classify a low-speed e-bike as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with functional pedals, a motor under 750 watts, and a maximum assisted speed between 20 and 28 mph. However, some higher-velocity devices popular with teenagers do not fit standard e-bike classifications and actually require a driver’s license and vehicle registration.
In Florida, where the campaign launched, there is currently no statewide minimum age to ride an e-bike, though riders under 16 are legally required to wear a helmet. E-bikes are permitted wherever traditional bicycles are allowed, including on sidewalks, unless restricted by local ordinances. Furthermore, pending state legislation would require e-riders to slow down to 10 mph when approaching pedestrians, yield the right-of-way, and give an audible signal before overtaking them.
AAA advises families to thoroughly check local ordinances before letting children ride. For riders, the organization recommends wearing high-visibility gear, obeying traffic signals, slowing down at intersections, and choosing paths with minimal pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Drivers are also being urged to adapt to the changing roads. AAA advises motorists to eliminate distractions, slow down in residential areas, and look twice at intersections, noting that e-rides are smaller and move much faster than traditional bicycles, making them easy to miss.
“E-bikes and e-scooters can be a fun and convenient way to get around, but they require more awareness and responsibility than many families expect,” Jenkins said. “When parents understand the risks and set clear expectations, they can help prevent crashes before they happen.”
The digital guide is currently available for free download at AAA/ERideReady.
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