Herriman police issued a back-to-school safety reminder on August 31, 2026, regarding new Utah e-bike laws and equipment requirements. The reminder follows a significant rise in childhood injuries, with trauma data from Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital showing a 66.7% increase in e-bike injuries among children and teens over the past year.
Rising Risks for Young Riders
As students return to school, health and safety experts are emphasizing the importance of helmet use and understanding e-bike classifications. Michelle Jamison, a community health program manager for Intermountain Children's Health, noted that some e-bikes can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. She warned that the faster a rider travels, the greater the force in a crash, which increases the risk of serious injury.
The Importance of Helmets
The threat to young riders is underscored by national trends. The American College of Surgeons reports that head injuries are the most common injuries in e-bike crashes nationwide, yet only about one-third of injured riders were wearing helmets. Local hospitals are currently treating injuries in children as young as 8 years old.
Preventative Safety Measures
Katherine Stokes, an injury prevention coordinator at Primary Children's Hospital, said that while e-bikes offer convenience and fun, they can pose real risks to children without proper safety steps. To mitigate these risks, experts recommend wearing a helmet during every ride and ensuring riders understand how their specific e-bike operates.
Distinguishing E-Bikes from Motorcycles
Utah law distinguishes between e-bikes and higher-power electric motorcycles. According to the City of Herriman, an e-bike is treated like a bicycle if it has permanently affixed operable pedals or a crank and a motor of 750 watts or less. These compliant devices do not require a license, registration, or insurance.
High-Power Device Regulations
Devices that exceed 750 watts or are capable of traveling more than 20 mph using the throttle alone are not classified as e-bikes. Instead, these higher-power devices may be regulated as motorcycles or off-highway vehicles, potentially requiring a driver license, motorcycle endorsement, registration, and insurance.
The Three E-Bike Classes
Utah utilizes a three-class system to define e-bikes based on motor function and top speed. Class 1 e-bikes and Class 2 e-bikes both have a maximum speed of 20 mph, with Class 1 being pedal-assist only and Class 2 offering throttle assistance. Class 3 e-bikes are pedal-assist only and can reach speeds up to 28 mph and require a speedometer.
Current Age Restrictions Overview *Note: New age restrictions take effect May 5, 2027*
New safety requirements for youth riders are being implemented through 2027. Currently, riders under 8 years old are prohibited from operating e-bikes. For children aged 8 to 13, adult supervision is required for Class 1 and Class 2 bikes, and they are prohibited from riding Class 3 bikes. Those aged 14 to 15 can ride Class 1 and 2 independently but cannot ride Class 3.
