E-bikes and scooters raise questions over speed, safety and Missouri road rules

KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — As e-bikes and e-scooters become more common on roadways, law enforcement and local bike experts say the growing range in speed and capability is creating new questions over how electric rides fit into existing traffic rules.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Sgt. Clark Parrott said some electric bikes can travel at speeds far beyond what many people may expect from a traditional bicycle.

“Some of these e-bikes will run upwards of 60 miles an hour, which is faster than, you know, some motorcycles,” Parrott said. “So we should encourage people to go out and enjoy the e-bike. But also, you know, if you need to take some training on them, understand how fast that they will go.”

The speed difference is significant because traditional e-bike classifications generally top out well below that.

CYCLEWERX of Cape Girardeau owner John Dodd said e-bikes are commonly divided into three classes based on how they operate and how fast they travel.

“There are classifications for e-bikes. It’s class one, class two, class three,” Dodd said. “The important thing to remember here is that class one is 20 miles an hour, pedal assist. Class two is 20 miles an hour, pedal assist or throttle. And then there’s class three, which is up to 28 miles an hour.”

Dodd said those are the types of e-bikes his shop sells and recommends, but the market now includes electric bikes capable of traveling much faster.

“There are a lot of things out there that go well above that, and those aren’t currently truly classified, is what I would say an e-bike,” Dodd said.

The growing use of e-bikes comes as researchers document a sharp rise in injuries involving them.

A 2025 study using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System estimated 45,845 e-bike-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency departments between 2013 and 2022.

Researchers found annual e-bike injuries increased significantly during that period, including a 90.9% increase between 2019 and 2022. About 30% of the injuries involved a motor vehicle, and more than 10% of injured riders required hospitalization.

Parrott said the capabilities of an e-bike do not change a rider’s responsibility once they enter public traffic.

“One of the problems with the electronic bicycles that we see is while they are on them, they are still required to obey the traffic signs and laws that are out there governing traditional bicycles,” Parrott said.

That includes sharing roadways with cars, trucks and other vehicles while following stop signs, yield signs and other traffic controls.

Parrott said the issue becomes especially important when younger riders use e-bikes.

“If you, as a parent, buy an e-bike for your child, make sure that they know how to properly operate it,” Parrott said. “And don’t hesitate to have a conversation that they are part of the traffic way, and they need to be mindful of all signs telling them to stop, yield and explain what those mean.”

As electric bikes and scooters continue becoming part of everyday transportation, both Parrott and Dodd said the differences between individual models matter once riders enter public traffic.

Those differences can range from pedal-assist bikes limited to around 20 mph to electric bikes capable of speeds comparable to some motorcycles.