Safety concerns grow as e-bike use rises

As electric bicycles and scooters become increasingly common throughout the Lowcountry, safety concerns are growing among parents, residents and law enforcement, especially as more children and teenagers ride them on roads, bike paths and sidewalks.

Social media posts and neighborhood forums across the Lowcountry have increasingly reflected concerns about riders speeding through neighborhoods, weaving through traffic, ignoring stop signs and riding without helmets. While public concern appears widespread, local crash data specific to e-bikes and electric scooters remains limited.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said it has not seen a significant increase in crashes involving e-bikes or scooters.

“We’ve had calls in reference to it, but not a rise in the actual collisions.” said Master Sgt. Robert Herlong of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

The biggest concern, officials and safety experts say, is speed.

Unlike traditional bicycles, many electric bikes and scooters can travel much faster with far less effort. Casual cyclists often travel between 8 and 15 mph. By comparison, many e-bikes and scooters can reach 20 mph, while some higher-powered models can travel even faster.

South Carolina generally recognizes three classes of e-bikes.

Class 1 e-bikes provide pedal assistance up to 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes use either pedal assist or throttle power and also max out at 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes provide pedal assistance up to 28 mph and are considered the fastest street-legal e-bike category.

Safety experts warn that crashes at those speeds can cause serious injuries, including head trauma, broken bones and severe road rash.

“Broken bones or fractures in the ankles, legs and hands are common injuries we see in patients hurt while using e-scooters,” said Dr. Cory Messerschmidt, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with Beaufort Memorial Orthopaedic Specialists.

“These injuries often result from high-impact collisions or falls.”

Messerschmidt said recovery from fractures can take months and, in more serious cases, may require surgery and physical therapy.
He emphasized that protective gear can significantly reduce injury risk.

“At a minimum, riders should wear a helmet,” Messerschmidt said.

“Hands and wrists are also especially vulnerable during falls, so wrist guards and gloves can help reduce injuries.”

Weight is another safety factor.

Traditional bicycles often weigh between 20 and 35 pounds. Many e-bikes weigh 45 to 80 pounds or more. That added weight increases stopping distance and makes bikes harder to control, especially for younger or inexperienced riders.

That combination of speed and weight is a major reason many residents are concerned about children riding high-powered e-bikes.

Many parents may not realize how powerful some newer models are. Some bikes marketed to teenagers can reach speeds comparable to small motorized vehicles.

Age requirements remain a source of confusion.

South Carolina law does not clearly establish a statewide minimum age for most standard e-bike use. However, manufacturers, safety groups and rental companies often recommend riders be at least 14 to 16 years old, depending on the bike’s speed and power.

Local rules also vary.

Hilton Head Island has some of the clearest e-bike regulations in the area.

Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are generally allowed on public roads, bike lanes and the island’s public pathways. However, Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited on Hilton Head’s public pathways because of safety concerns involving shared-use spaces with pedestrians, runners and traditional cyclists.

Class 3 e-bikes may still be ridden on roads where bicycles are permitted.This distinction is especially important on Hilton Head, where crowded pathways near beaches, parks and shopping areas often include a mix of walkers, children and cyclists.

Hilton Head town officials say those shared-use spaces have become a growing concern as more powerful electric vehicles appear on pathways and beaches.

“The Town has observed an increasing presence of high-powered electric motorcycles and similar motorized vehicles operating on Town pathways and beaches, with some capable of speeds exceeding 30 mph,” town officials said in a statement.

Officials said those vehicles create safety risks for pedestrians, recreational bicyclists and riders because of the speed differences in shared-use areas.

Bluffton currently has fewer e-bike-specific rules.

Riders generally follow the same laws as traditional bicyclists unless restricted by private property rules, neighborhood regulations or specific local restrictions. That means riders are expected to obey stop signs, traffic signals and right-of-way laws.

But not every rider is obeying the law.

“This is the number one concern that the town is hearing about.” said a Bluffton Town official.

Electric scooters create additional legal confusion.

Not all scooters are regulated the same way. Rules often depend on motor size, speed and whether the device is classified as a scooter, moped or another type of motorized vehicle.

Herlong said confusion about classifications remains one of the biggest issues.

“A lot of the time, parents need to educate themselves on the differences between an e-bike, an electric dirt bike and a moped,” Herlong said. “They need to understand the licensing requirements and how fast they can go.”

The sheriff’s office has also worked to educate residents through community outreach and online safety resources, including an e-bike safety video explaining the differences between e-bikes, mopeds and other motorized vehicles. Readers can view the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD0tXptRHiQ

“We want to keep everybody safe,” Herlong said. “You’ve got motor vehicles on the roadway, bikes on the roadway, and it never works out when the two collide.”

Safety officials say responsible riding habits remain critical for both adults and children.

Recommended safety practices include wearing helmets, riding with traffic, avoiding distracted riding, using lights at night and slowing down around pedestrians.

On shared-use pathways, pedestrians have the right of way. Riders should reduce speed, pass carefully and stay alert.

Hilton Head officials say some of the greatest safety concerns involve roadway crossings and curb cuts throughout the island’s pathway network.

Those areas often create conflict points where pedestrians and bicyclists interact with vehicles entering and exiting streets, driveways and commercial properties.

Officials said high-speed motorized vehicles on pathways increase the risk of serious crashes and injuries.

For parents, experts say supervision and education are essential.
Before allowing a child to ride an e-bike or scooter independently, parents should understand how fast the device can travel, where it can legally operate and whether their child understands basic traffic rules.

As e-bike and scooter use continues to grow across Hilton Head and Bluffton, many residents say education, awareness and enforcement will be key to improving safety.

For now, one issue remains clear: education, safety and enforcement remain central concerns as the popularity of e-bikes and scooters continues to grow.