HONOLULU (Island News) — Lea Lynch was shopping for a family e-bike at The Bike Shop to take her two young girls on errands in Kailua Town.
“Those girls are getting heavier every day so you need a little bit of an electric assist to be able to drive everybody,” she said.
For many, e-bikes are among the top of holiday wish lists this year with it’s popularity growing as an alternate mode of transportation.
“It’s fantastic that people can get outside and go on a bicycle to drive around, have fun,” Lynch said. “But all of the safety concerns really weigh on me as a mom of two little girls.”
State records show there were more than 320 e-bike injuries so far this year.
“Sometimes when you’re riding something that’s electrified, I think you forget how vulnerable you are out on the road,” she added.
That’s why AAA Hawaii is urging riders to be extra vigilant.
“Wear a helmet, watch speed and do not allow your child to modify the motor, allowing the e-bike to go faster,” said spokeswoman Anlleyn Venegas. “And just be aware that rules of the road for drivers also apply for e-bikes.”
A peddle assist system on an e-bike cannot go more than 20 miles an hour and must have peddles like this.
If not, “it’s considered either a moped or an electric motorcycle, and those cannot be ridden on the roads,” said Melvin Nakahata, general manager at The Bike Shop.
For families considering buying an electric bike for the holidays, Nakahata advised not to exceed your limitations.
“If a youth is on a bike that’s too big or they can’t control properly, again, that is not gonna end well,” he said.
It’s only legal for those older than 15 to ride an e-bike.
“Just be watchful that, expect the unexpected for motorists,” he added. “For the cyclists, be predictable and obey the traffic laws.”
