September 3, 2025 – With the start of the new school year, the American Bicycling Education Association (ABEA) is urging parents to prioritize the safety and legality of their teenagers' e-bikes. Even parents who have taken the step of carefully selecting legal in-class e-bikes should beware of some dangerous modifications being shown to teens on social media videos. As e-biking grows in popularity among younger riders, tampering with safety equipment and modifying e-bikes is a growing problem, increasing the risk of serious injuries.
In a recent blog post, ABEA outlines critical steps for parents to monitor and maintain their teens' e-bikes, ensuring they are both safe and compliant with local regulations. ABEA emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of the situation with regular e-bike inspections and open communication with their children.
The post's author, Randy Profeta, is a veteran cycling professional who serves on ABEA's board of directors and owns Trail's End Cycling Center in Irvine, California. "Ensuring the safety of our young riders is paramount," he said. "Parents play a crucial role in supervising and educating their teens about the responsible use of e-bikes. By following our guidelines, we can work together to help prevent accidents and promote a safer riding environment."
Parents seeking a quick-reference handbook on e-bike safety should read The Caring Parent's E-Bike Survival Guide, which includes everything from shopping to behavior management tips. This book combines powerfully with ABEA's CyclingSavvy e-bike course for Teens, which provides the most comprehensive pro-level training available for young riders. Students learn the skills teens need for safe and responsible e-bike riding — skills that will carry over into safer driving.
A prominent national cycling organization, ABEA remains committed to advocating for cycling safety and providing world-class rider education. For more information, visit ABEA's website to read the full blog post and access additional resources.
About ABEA:
The American Bicycling Education Association was incorporated in 2014 as a tax-exempt corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. ABEA is dedicated to supporting successful bicycling with its programs and resources for the general public, traffic engineers, transportation professionals, law enforcement, and educators. Our signature CyclingSavvy program presents the nation's premier online and in-person education for safe cycling. We believe our communities are more livable when we promote a civil and cooperative environment for all who use our transportation network.
