As warmer weather returns, more families are spending time outdoors, making neighborhoods busier and increasing activity on our roads, sidewalks and parks. While this seasonal change offers many opportunities for outdoor fun, it also calls for renewed attention to safety.

One growing area of concern in communities nationwide is the use of electric bicycles, commonly known as e-bikes, especially among young riders.

E-bikes offer an enjoyable way to travel, exercise and spend time with friends. They enable riders to cover greater distances at higher speeds than traditional bicycles. However, these benefits come with increased responsibility.

Parents and guardians play a critical role in this effort.

Before purchasing or allowing a child to operate an e-bike, it is important to understand the device’s capabilities and whether it is suitable for their age and experience. Some e-bikes can accelerate quickly and reach speeds that require maturity, judgment and experience to operate safely. An e-bike should never be viewed as a toy.

Clear expectations should be set before a child begins riding. This includes deciding where the e-bike may be used, when it can be ridden and the rules that must be followed. Riders should understand traffic signs and signals, yield to.pedestrians, obey speed limits, and avoid reckless behaviors such as weaving through traffic, riding double or using phones while in motion. Helmets should always be worn, regardless of age requirements.

Parents should also be aware of exactly what type of device their child is riding.

An electric bicycle means a device upon which an individual may ride that satisfies all of the following:

1. The device is equipped with all of the following:

• A seat or saddle for use by the rider.
• Fully operable pedals for human propulsion.
• An electric motor of not greater than 750 watts.

2. The device falls within one of the following categories:

Class 1 electric bicycle. A "class 1 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle that is equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that disengages or ceases to function when the electric bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour. No minimum age to operate.

Class 2 electric bicycle. A "class 2 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle that is equipped with a motor that propels the electric bicycle to a speed of no more than 20 miles per hour, whether the rider is pedaling or not, and that disengages or ceases to function when the brakes are applied. No minimum age to operate.

Class 3 electric bicycle. A "class 3 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle that is equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that disengages or ceases to function when the electric bicycle reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour. The minimum age to operate is 14.

Some products marketed casually online or through social media may exceed legal classifications for e-bikes and function more like unregistered motorized vehicles. Taking time to review specifications against Michigan Compiled Laws – Section 257.662a can prevent confusion and unsafe situations later.

The West Bloomfield Police Department’s primary goal is education. We want all riders, especially young people, to enjoy riding safely while respecting others who share our streets, trails and sidewalks. Officers will continue to engage riders, provide guidance and address dangerous behavior when necessary. While enforcement may be necessary in cases of serious violations, our preference is always prevention through awareness and responsible choices.

This is where partnership matters most. Schools, neighborhoods, parents, and police all play a role in setting expectations for safe behavior. A brief conversation at home about courtesy, speed, helmets, and roadway rules can do more to prevent injury than any citation ever could.

As a community, we all benefit when recreation and mobility are balanced with safety and respect for others. We encourage parents to remain involved, informed and engaged as e-bike use continues to grow.

Together, we can help ensure this popular trend remains positive for families and our community.