We see them all over Westport: teenagers, and even some tweens, riding electric bikes.
They pop wheelies on the Post Road. They weave in and out of traffic. Some rider don’t wear helmets.
We worry, for their safety — and ours.
And we wonder: What are the laws?
The rules are far less black-and-white than we imagine. Lt. Anthony Prezioso, a shift commander with the Westport Police Department, has studied them in depth.
(He’s also looked at scooters, motorcycles and ATVs, all of which have registration and licensing requirements. But e-bikes have the fewest regulations, and are the most popular with kids.)
There are 3 categories of electric bikes — which, with pedals, are similar to bicycles, but also have a battery, motor of less than 750 watts, and controller.
Class 1 — the most common — has no throttle. Its speed is limited to 20 miles an hour. The rider can pedal to make it go faster — and it can go up to 40 mph, particularly downhill — but at 20 mph, the motor cuts off.
Class 2 is similar to Class 1. The bikes look almost the same, and they too have a 20 mph cutoff. But a throttle on the handle — like a motorcycle — offers another way to control the bike.
Because the battery drains quickly, these bikes are not as popular as Class 1.
Class 3 e-bikes are subject to the most Connecticut laws. These are pedal-assisted too, lack a throttle, but the motor can reach 28 mph — “pretty good speed,” Prezioso notes.
They are not allowed to be ridden by anyone under 16 (though younger passengers are permitted), and are banned on most public roads. They can be ridden on trails, state parks, etc., by local ordinance.
Class 3 e-bike.
All 3 categories are “street legal,” Prezioso says. That means they can be ridden on bikes lanes or the shoulder of streets, even the Post Road.
Like bicycles, riders are supposed to stop at stop signs, and obey all other rules.
In Connecticut, e-bike riders are required to wear helmets. However, there are no rules regarding licenses, registrations or insurance.
If an e-bike rider is in the middle of the road, say, or popping a wheelie, an officer can treat it like a motor vehicle stop.
However, they don’t want to make a dangerous situation worse. Teenagers can panic, and try to flee. Officers must use their best judgment. Sometimes, Prezioso says, they’ll simply follow the rider to his destination.
Is this a Class 1, 2 or 3 bike? The riders are on the shoulder of Post Road East, near Turkey Hill — but they’re not wearing helmets. (Photo/Diane Lowman)
“Education is important,” the lieutenant emphasizes. “Parents may not realize the rules, especially with Class 3 bikes.”
The Westport Police Department needs parents’ help to keep Westport’s teens and tweens — and everyone else — safe.
It’s a never-ending job. The technology changes often.
And kids are the first to know what’s new, and cool.
Be careful out there.