Students practice drills at E-Bike Sense's e-bike safety class in El Segundo.

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Happy National Bike Safety Month!

This month, the SBCCOG is observing National Bike Safety Month in this fifth issue of "Turtle Talk."

We are celebrating by emphasizing the importance of bike and e-bike safety. But don’t just read about bikes—go out and ride one during Bike to Work Week from May 13 to May 19 and on Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 17.

Follow along with us on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn as we bike to work and tag us using the hashtag #BikeSafetyMonth to show off your zero-emission, low speed commute. 

E-Bike Safety Training Makes 'E-Bike Sense'

Meet Megan Lamb, the founder of

E-Bike Sense, a hands-on safety training course for young e-bike and e-scooter riders.

As a mom, former educator and athlete, among many other pedigrees, Lamb saw the lack of (and need for) formal e-bike safety training in the South Bay when her teenage son asked for an e-bike. Thus, E-Bike Sense was born in 2023. Since then, she has provided e-bike safety training to kids and partnered with schools and cities across the South Bay. 

With e-bike popularity on the rise and no set license requirements for kids, Lamb said it makes it easy to hop on an e-bike and go, which underscores the importance of safety training.  

"I love that kids can be less reliant on their parents, gain more independence, and in return, there are less cars on the road. However, if they are not trained properly on the rules of the road and e-bike specific safety protocols, there will be significantly more injuries, accidents and violations," she said. "I hope that my students take away the knowledge to be safer on the road, not only for themselves, but for their community. My motto is ‘ride safe, have fun and be an example.’" 

The SBCCOG asked Lamb some frequently asked questions about e-bikes: 

What should parents be aware of when considering purchasing an e-bike for their children?  

I believe age and maturity are big factors. Are your children responsible enough to follow the rules of the road and ride safely whether alone or with friends? I recommend setting boundaries and establishing guidelines prior to purchasing an e-bike. This can range from discussing the importance of helmets to the safest routes and dangerous streets to avoid. It is also important to know that there are three classifications of e-bikes and to determine which is best suited for your child.  

What are some common misconceptions about e-bikes that you’ve observed? 

1) The biggest misconception I get from students in my classes is that they don’t understand that they have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. Whether on a bicycle, e-bike or e-scooter, you are expected to follow the same traffic laws and ride in a responsible manner. Also, many kids don’t know that they can be in a lane with a vehicle, which is sometimes safer. Many cities do not want e-bikes on sidewalks, as it can be more dangerous for not only pedestrians, but the riders themselves. 

2) They are too fast! Yes, they can go up to 20 mph or faster; however, if riders are educated on situations where they should go at a slower speed versus a max speed, this will help with the “speed factor.” For example, in certain areas that are heavily trafficked by cars and pedestrians, riders ought to slow down, whereas a wide street with few parked cars or stop signs may be a good place to go faster. 

Regarding her safety training class, Lamb shared, "Many parents have thanked me for starting this program and have referred me to others...I am fortunate to have partnered with local schools and law enforcement who are finding value in my training program as well. My goal is to educate as many kids as possible to make our community safer as a whole." 

For information about E-Bike Sense, visit ebikesense.com.

It's important to know that there are different classes of e-bikes to ensure that you don't purchase the wrong bike for your age and where and how fast you plan to ride it. Get to know the three classes of e-bikes.

Class 1 e-bike motors only provide assistance when the rider is pedaling. They will not provide assistance once the rider has reached 20 mph.

Class 2 e-bikes can be propelled forward by a throttle without pedaling. They also cannot exceed 20 mph.

Class 3 e-bikes are pedal-assisted. They cease to provide assistance when the rider has reached 28 mph. They are restricted to riders aged 16 years and older.

To learn more and view examples of models for each e-bike class, check out this Wired article.

Graphic by Beach Cities Health District

Lithium-ion battery fires have recently received much attention in Congress and the media. Are you following these battery safety best practices?

📖 Follow your manufacturer’s instructions for battery charging.

🔌 Plug the battery directly into a wall outlet – NEVER power strips or extension cords.

🔋Do NOT use third-party charging equipment ever. Make sure that your battery is UL-certified, which indicates that it has been tested.

❌ Do NOT stack or cluster batteries. 

🏠 Always store batteries in a well-ventilated area away from entrances/exits and extreme temperatures. Keep batteries out of direct sunlight. 

For more resources on e-bike safety, visit ebikesmart.org.

The E-Trike Rickshaw

The SixThreeZero EVRYjourney electric tricycle rickshaw’s star feature is a faux leather bench wide enough to seat three children or two adults. The e-trike goes up to 20 mph, has up to a 50-mile range, and can carry up to 500 pounds. Priced at $2,999, this vehicle is perfect for safely towing precious human cargo.   

New micromobility innovations and technologies are constantly emerging from around the world. We want to showcase some of these exciting vehicle inventions in the industry. Perhaps you’ll spot one of these devices cruising around the South Bay in the near future.

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