By
John P. Slosek, Jr., The Insurance Coach®
This past
week, I dedicated my radio show to a growing trend that is spreading rapidly
across our country: The rise of the e-bike.
The origins of this movement began back in 1895. A man named Ogden Bolton Jr.
received a patent for a battery-powered hub-motor bicycle. That’s right — well
over 100 years ago. Ogden envisioned a machine that could assist riders
traveling long distances on two-wheeled bicycles. However, his invention never gained significant traction or mass production.
Just two
years later, in 1897, Hosea W. Libbey of Boston invented an electric bicycle
propelled by a “double electric motor.” The motor was designed within the hub
of the crankset axle, and the battery power could be distributed depending upon
flat terrain or uphill travel. Yet even this invention failed to take Boston —
or America — by storm.
Now let’s
fast-forward approximately 100 years to the late 1990s.
In 1997, American automotive executive Lee Iacocca founded EV Global Motors, a
company that produced an electric bicycle model known as the E-bike SX. It
became one of the early attempts to popularize e-bikes in the United States.
By 2007,
e-bikes were estimated to account for 10% to 20% of all two-wheeled vehicles in
many major Chinese cities. Typical models require approximately eight hours to
recharge, providing a travel range of 25 to 30 miles at speeds averaging around
12 miles per hour. As of 2026, global sales of e-bikes are estimated at approximately 40 million. This is a growing trend exploding worldwide.
So, what changed?
In my opinion, what began as a helpful
transportation innovation is now developing into a potentially dangerous
epidemic in certain situations.
Over the
past five years, e-bike sales have become one of the primary growth drivers of
the bicycle industry. Fueled by pandemic-era transportation shifts,
environmentally friendly commuting, and major technological advancements, sales
increased dramatically between 2019 and 2021 and continue to grow at strong
double-digit rates globally.
Now, let me be clear.
I am not
referring to properly manufactured e-bikes designed with factory safety
standards and regulated speed limitations. Most traditional e-bikes were
originally intended to travel between 15 and 20 miles per hour and were
designed to assist the rider — not replace bicycling altogether. When e-bikes
first gained popularity in Europe and later in the United States, their
original purpose was simple:
To help
people continue cycling longer
To reduce physical strain
To assist riders climbing hills
To help
older riders remain active
To allow commuters to travel farther without exhaustion
To encourage environmentally friendly transportation
To help individuals with physical limitations continue enjoying cycling
The
philosophy behind the original e-bike concept was straightforward:
“Pedal
when you can… assist when you need help.”
The
electric assistance was intended primarily for steep hills, rough terrain, or
longer journeys. Otherwise, the bicycle was still expected to function
primarily as a bicycle. That is exactly why these machines are classified as
bicycles and not mopeds or motorcycles.
Globally, approximately 40 million e-bikes are sold every year, and annual
worldwide sales are projected to continue rising substantially over the next
several years.
Now let me ask you a question.
How many times have you been stopped at a traffic light or stop sign and
suddenly watched a pre-teen or teenager fly across the crosswalk in front of
your vehicle on an e-bike — without a helmet — zigzagging through traffic? A number of week ago, I was traveling at the required speed limit of 30 mph when what looked like a 12 year old boy passed me easily on a e-bike without a helmet crossing from one side of the street to the other. SCARY!
This is precisely why I titled this article Electric Danger on the Roadways.
Many
younger riders are now modifying these e-bikes with aftermarket parts that can
increase speeds to 35, 40, or even more than 40 miles per hour. At that point,
we are no longer talking about a traditional bicycle. I live in Massachusetts,
where motor vehicle laws require mopeds capable of speeds between 20 and 25
miles per hour to be registered and display license plates. The same applies to
motorcycles. However, bicycles do not require registration or license plates.
So, the
question becomes:
What are the laws in your state regarding modified e-bikes?
Another
Huge Problem:
Parents Often Don’t Realize They Can Be
Sued.
Parents
may potentially be held financially responsible for situations involving:
Negligent supervision
Allowing reckless operation
Permitting unsafe modifications
Failure to enforce helmet use
Allowing illegal roadway operation
So here
are some important questions I ask you, the reader:
Do you own an e-bike?
Do you allow your teenage children to use it?
Has it been modified in any way?
What
exactly constitutes a modification?
Removed or altered speed governors
Upgraded batteries that increase wattage. A 2000-watt-battery can create speeds
of 40 MPH
Aftermarket motors
Throttle acceleration modifications
These changes can push speeds far beyond manufacturer specifications.
Between 2017 and 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission tracked hundreds
of fatalities involving micro mobility devices, including e-bikes, e-scooters,
and hoverboards. Emergency room visits involving e-bikes have also risen
dramatically nationwide.
Somebody once told me:
“John,
someone can work their entire life accumulating savings, assets, property, and
wealth — and because of one uninsured mistake, lose it all.”
That
statement has stayed with me for years because there is truth behind it.
Now let me give you one final scenario.
This is
directed specifically toward e-bike owners who own homes, condominiums, or
renters insurance policies.
Imagine the following situation: Your child is operating a modified e-bike
traveling 35 miles per hour without a helmet. The rider crosses from a sidewalk
into the roadway, strikes a pedestrian causing severe injuries, or causes a
motor vehicle accident resulting in catastrophic injury or even death.
Now the question becomes:
Who Pays the Damages?
This is where things can become extremely serious.
Many homeowners policies contain:
Motor vehicle exclusions
Self-propelled vehicle exclusions
Limitations involving motorized conveyances
And once an e-bike has been modified beyond its legal classification, an
insurance company may argue: “This is no longer an e-bike. "This is now a
motorized vehicle.”
That argument could potentially create a devastating coverage gap. You work too
hard for your money and assets.
My recommendation is simple:
Contact
your insurance agent or insurance company and ask specific questions regarding
your automobile, homeowners, condominium, or renters coverage.
Inform them that you own an e-bike and ask:
Does my
current policy provide liability coverage if someone is injured? Would the
insurance company provide legal defense if a lawsuit occurs? Are modified
e-bikes excluded?
Should
additional coverage be considered?
It has truly been my pleasure writing this post for you.
I hope
that those of you who own e-bikes take at least some of these recommendations
seriously. These are simply educational recommendations designed to encourage
awareness, responsibility, and common-sense decision-making.
This article is intended strictly for general educational and informational
purposes so readers may make informed decisions that they believe are in their
own best interests.
About
the Author John P. Slosek Jr. is the founder of Slosek Insurance
Corporation, established in 1984 and still serving clients today. For more than
40 years, John has worked in the insurance industry helping individuals,
families, and business owners better understand protection, risk, and financial
responsibility.
In addition to operating his agency, John has spent
over 30 years as a motivational and self-improvement speaker, focusing on
common-sense life lessons, personal growth, and real-world decision-making.
John is also the host of The Insurance Coach® radio show, heard every Saturday
morning at 8:00 a.m. on Classic Hits 97.7. www.classichits977.com (Hit Listen
Live). The program combines insurance education, life experiences, motivational
insight, and practical advice designed to help listeners make better decisions
for themselves and their families. John proudly resides in Massachusetts with
his family and enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren.
