E-Bike Danger Headlines Often Mislead: Advocates Say Misclassified Machines Are to Blame

Last Updated on October 5, 2025 by Kristina

Headlines warning about “e-bike dangers” are everywhere. But advocacy groups say many of those stories are not really about true e-bikes at all. Instead, they’re about heavily modified or misclassified vehicles — machines that look like e-bikes but act like small electric motorcycles.

What advocacy groups are saying

• PeopleForBikes — one of the country’s largest cycling advocacy groups — says these “e-moto” vehicles are giving e-bikes a bad name.
• They often have motors stronger than 750 watts, or can go faster than 28 mph, making them illegal as e-bikes under most U.S. laws.
• Some lack real pedals or can run throttle-only, which puts them outside the e-bike classes defined by law.
• Despite this, many are marketed as e-bikes online, confusing both buyers and law enforcement.
• PeopleForBikes lists fixing this confusion — and creating clearer e-bike definitions — among their top 2025 policy goals.
• Their message: don’t punish legal riders for problems caused by unregulated or misclassified machines.

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Real examples from around the country

• Reno, Nevada: Two teenagers riding what police called “illegal electric motorcycles” crashed into a bicyclist. The bikes had no pedals, no plates, and could hit high speeds. Both riders were cited. Yet initial reports called them “e-bikes.”
  
• Milford, Massachusetts: A crash involving a heavily modified “e-bike” led police to issue a safety warning. The bike had been altered to exceed normal limits, but was still described as an e-bike in headlines.
  
• San Ramon Valley, California: Schools and parents are seeing kids on Super 73-style bikes that can hit 35 mph. They look like e-bikes but ride like motorcycles.
  
• Marin County, CA: Officials have moved to ban throttle-equipped e-bikes for youth under 16 after a rise in teen crashes.
  
• New York City: The City Council is debating limits on high-speed e-bikes and scooters — a direct reaction to public fear, not all of which involves legal bikes.
  

These examples show how the line between e-bikes and electric motorcycles keeps getting blurred — and how the public ends up confused.

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Policy & education efforts

• Some states are writing new bills that would make it illegal to market e-motos as e-bikes.
• Advocacy groups and safety organizations recently launched the eBike eCourse, a free online safety program that teaches new riders how to ride responsibly and understand e-bike classes.
  (Cycle News)
• Regulators are also paying attention to battery safety, since misclassified devices with cheap components are linked to more fires and malfunctions.

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Why this distinction matters

1. Public perception – When every crash is labeled “e-bike,” people lose trust in the technology.
2. Policy mistakes – Cities may overreact and pass sweeping restrictions that punish legal riders.
3. Bad data – Safety studies often lump together different machines, hiding the real picture.
4. Marketplace confusion – Sellers use loopholes to avoid stricter safety and licensing rules.

How to spot a misclassified or modified device

Feature	Legal e-bike	Possible misclassified / modified device
Motor power / continuous watts	750 W or less (in many jurisdictions)	Exceeds 750 W or claims much higher peak
Pedals	Fully functional pedals required	Pedals may be non-functional or just decorative
Top assist speed	E-bike assist must cut off at legal limit (20–28 mph depending on class)	Can sustain speeds far above legal caps
Throttle vs pedal-assist	Many legal e-bikes are pedal-assist; throttle may be limited	Full throttle-only operation, even without pedaling
Claims / marketing	Clearly states class and limits	Marketing promises “no pedaling,” “super speed,” or “motorcycle-like”

What riders can do

• Ask for clear specs before buying — look for the Class label and rated power.
• Don’t modify controllers or batteries. It can void legality and safety.
• Stay informed through advocacy sites like PeopleForBikes and local bike coalitions.
• Support smart regulation that distinguishes between legal and illegal devices.
• Be a good example on the road: obey speed limits, yield on trails, wear helmets.

My Take

I think this issue is about misunderstanding and speed — not just on the road, but in how technology and laws evolve.

E-bikes have opened doors for millions of riders. But when unregulated or modified machines flood the market, they drag down the reputation of everyone who rides responsibly.

Lawmakers need to draw clear lines. Sellers should stop marketing e-motos as e-bikes. Journalists should check the facts before writing “e-bike crash.”

At the same time, we can’t let fear erase the real benefits of e-bikes — cleaner transport, affordable mobility, and more people on two wheels.
The goal should be balance: protect safety without choking innovation or punishing good riders.

For more news on electric bikes click here

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