Electric bikes and scooters have become an increasingly common way to get around Colorado. Whether commuting to work, riding to school, exploring local trails, or running errands, more people are choosing e-bikes and scooters as a convenient alternative to driving.

As their popularity continues to grow, so does the importance of understanding how riders and drivers can safely share the road. Preventing accidents requires awareness, patience, and following the rules, no matter how you’re traveling.

Know the Rules Before You Ride

Colorado uses a three-class system to categorize electric bikes based on how they provide motor assistance and their maximum assisted speed. To qualify as an e-bike under Colorado law, the bike must have operable pedals, a motor rated at 750 watts or less, and meet the speed limits established for its class. Bikes that exceed these limits may be classified differently and may require registration, insurance, and a driver’s license.

It’s also important to remember that local municipalities may have additional rules regarding where e-bikes and scooters can be ridden, including bike paths, sidewalks, and open space trails. Before heading out, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the regulations in the community where you’ll be riding.

For a more detailed overview of Colorado’s e-bike classifications and Denver-specific regulations, visit Denver Electric Bike Laws and Regulations by Upway.

Riders Have Rights and Responsibilities

E-bike and scooter riders generally have many of the same rights and responsibilities as traditional bicyclists.

To help reduce the risk of crashes, riders should:

• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic.
• Yield the right-of-way when required.
• Use designated bike lanes whenever available.
• Stay alert and avoid distractions, including using a phone while riding.
• Use lights and reflective equipment when riding after dark.
• Be courteous to pedestrians and other cyclists.

Predictable riding makes it easier for everyone on the road to anticipate your movements and avoid collisions.

Drivers Need to Share the Road

Drivers also play an important role in preventing collisions with e-bike and scooter riders.

Before turning, changing lanes, or opening a vehicle door, drivers should always check mirrors and blind spots for approaching riders.

When passing an e-bike or scooter, allow plenty of space and avoid squeezing riders toward the curb or parked vehicles.

It’s also important to remember that many e-bikes travel faster than traditional bicycles. Taking an extra moment to look before turning can help prevent serious crashes.

Intersections Require Extra Attention

Intersections are one of the most common places for collisions involving electric bikes, scooters, bicycles, and motor vehicles. Because multiple directions of traffic come together, both riders and drivers need to be especially alert.

Some of the most common causes of these crashes include:

• Drivers turning right across a bike lane without seeing a rider.
• Drivers making left turns in front of an approaching e-bike or scooter.
• Failure to yield the right-of-way.
• Distracted driving or distracted riding.
• Riders traveling through intersections without slowing or checking for turning vehicles.
• Limited visibility caused by parked cars, landscaping, or poor lighting.

Whether you’re behind the wheel or on an e-bike or scooter, slow down as you approach intersections, look carefully for other road users, and make eye contact whenever possible before proceeding. A few extra seconds of caution can help prevent a serious crash.

Helmet Safety Can Reduce Serious Injuries

Although helmet requirements vary depending on the type of e-bike and the rider’s age, helmets remain one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of serious head injuries.

Colorado law requires Class 3 e-bike riders to wear a helmet, and riders must be at least 16 years old to operate a Class 3 e-bike. Even when a helmet isn’t legally required, wearing one is one of the best ways to protect yourself in the event of a crash.

Parents should encourage children and teens to wear properly fitted helmets every time they ride, regardless of the distance.

Parents: Help Your Kids Build Safe Riding Habits

Electric bikes and scooters have become especially popular with children and teenagers. While they provide a fun way to get around, they’re also capable of traveling much faster than traditional bicycles, and that means crashes can result in more serious injuries.

According to Children’s Hospital Colorado’s e-bike safety article, traumatic injuries related to e-bikes increased 184%between 2024 and 2025, while e-scooter injuries increased 84% during the same period. Many of these injuries involved the head, face, or neck, and one-third of serious injuries occurred when riders collided with a motor vehicle.

Before allowing your child to ride, take time to make sure they understand the rules of the road and are mature enough to safely operate an electric bike or scooter. Talk with them about:

• Obeying traffic signs and signals.
• Riding in the same direction as traffic.
• Slowing down at intersections and driveways.
• Making eye contact with drivers before crossing.
• Staying off their phone and avoiding distractions.
• Wearing a properly fitted helmet every ride.

It’s also important to remind young riders that even if they have the right-of-way, they should never assume a driver sees them. Defensive riding, slowing down, and staying alert can help prevent serious injuries.

Parents looking for additional guidance on choosing the right helmet, determining when a child is ready to ride, and building safe riding habits can find helpful resources from Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Safety Is a Shared Responsibility

As more Coloradans choose electric bikes and scooters for transportation and recreation, everyone benefits when drivers and riders remain patient, attentive, and respectful of one another.

Understanding traffic laws, following local regulations, wearing appropriate safety equipment, and staying alert can help prevent many of the crashes that occur each year.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident involving an electric bike or scooter, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Whether the crash involved a motor vehicle, unsafe road conditions, or another negligent party, the experienced team at LS Injury Law is here to help.

Contact LS Injury Law today to discuss your case, understand your rights, and learn about your legal options. Our team will listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you determine the best path forward. We’re committed to helping injured Coloradans move forward with confidence.