Riding an electric bike is not difficult, but when it comes to the kids, parents are always concerned about their children’s safety. Riding an electric bike is allowed in many countries for the 12 year old. But some regions do not allow it because of safety concerns.
Basically, 12 year old kids are not mature enough, nor are their muscles too strong to handle speedy electric bikes. Hence, a few countries regulate laws for kids and their social movements, including riding bikes, e-bikes, and other vehicles.
Electric bikes are harder to control. Basically, they possess 350W to 1000W motors and contain heavy batteries. In simple words, they are heavier and support bulky motors. So, one should always consider the safety measures before giving a bike to a 12 year old kid.
In my opinion, children can ride an electric bike after practice. Plus, parents should know the average age to learn to ride a bike and should also use the speed limiter on the electric bike, so their children do not ride it harshly. In this guide, I will answer that a 12 year old can ride an electric bike in the context of different regions.
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Can a 12 Year Old Ride an Electric Bike? – Detailed Answer
Encourage your kids to ride electric bikes. They are not only good for transportation but also perfect for exercise. Riding an electric bike for a 12 year old kid is highly recommended by health experts. They claim that it strengthens the muscles. Moreover, physical activities like running the bike enhance blood flow in the body and develop new neurons in the brain.
Let’s see in which countries 12 year old teens can ride electric bikes.
Rules for 12 year Old Riding E-Bike in United States
The United States has proper legislation for all activities of senior, junior and minor citizens. But there are no federal laws for riding the bike of a 12 year old kid. The country does not stop kids from growing better.
However, some states, like California, have rules for kids. Such states do not allow kids to ride electric bikes. So before you buy an e-bike for your 12 year old teen, clarify with the state law department. You can have a look at best 20 inch bikes.
Canada Rules for 12 Year Old Regarding Electric Bike Ride
Canada, like the USA, has no laws for minors to ride an electric bike. Instead, the country believes in freedom and independence. As you know, Canada is divided into states and places which have their laws.
So, some places like Ontario limit the movement of minors. In Ontario, one cannot ride an electric bike below 14. Basically, they believe that allowing e-bikes to minors is dangerous. On the other hand, various states allow their citizens to ride bikes on the road without any official documents or age limit.
12 Year Old Teen E-Bike Riding in United Kingdom (UK)
The UK also has no federal legislation for riding the electric bike to minors. The United Kingdom is divided into different places and believes in the autonomy and superiority of the people. That’s why some places and cities have restrictions for kids.
However, there are no governmental laws for e-bikes. But some local authorities have proper laws for minors. Anyhow, the UK will pass a few laws regarding electric bikes in the future. Also read a detailed answer about: At what age can child ride tricycle!
Why do some countries allow minors to use electric bikes but not others?
The answer is a bit tricky, but you should not worry about it. Actually, as fuel prices increased in some countries, they decided to shift from fuel to electric vehicles, including electric bikes. Moreover, climate change movements also affect the fuel market, and the majority of companies have started manufacturing e-bikes instead of motorcycles and regular bikes. These bikes neither consume fuel nor require maintenance. On the other hand, they are lightweight and deliver acceptable performance.
Although these bikes do not run at 90 or 120 miles per hour, they can give you a moderate speed so you reach the destination without wasting money and time. Anyhow, hype in the market of e-bikes and trikes confused many lawmakers. A few countries allow kids to ride bikes, like India, but others, including USA, UK, and Canada, are working on the legislation. Some states allow 12 year old kids to run electric bikes. But a few states as California, are reluctant regarding electric bikes.
However, because of the hype in the market, lawmakers are working on the use of electric bikes. In the future, the majority of the regions will allow kids to use e-bikes but with speed limiters. Anyhow, you should always consider the safety measure before giving the bike to a child. Do not remove the speed limiter, and always teach kids to run bikes at slow speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are electric bikes safe?
Yes, e-bikes are safe as compared to other motorcycles. Actually, it is a bike with a battery and motor, so one can handle it effortlessly.
Can kids drive ebike?
Yes, kids can drive e-bikes, but it is not safe for them. They cannot handle electric bikes at a fast speed, so they always use a speed limiter.
Final Remarks
A 12 year old rides an electric bike in the streets of America fearlessly. Parents should teach kids about road manners, including signals, parking, and speed. Using speed limiters is the best option because they cannot control e-bikes at high speeds. Plus, riding the e-bike is also beneficial for the physical health of minors. Anyhow, in this guide, I answered your question, and I hope you find it helpful.
Hi, I’m Alexandra Betty, co-founder of OutdoorGearsHub.com! I am a cycling enthusiast and currently living in Waltham, Massachusetts. I love just about everything about the cycling industry, which is why I created this site! Combining my passion with my work has always been extremely important to me. Feel free to reach out, leave comments, or recommend improvements to the site and its content so we can help you improve your cycling experience!
I am on a mission to enable everyone to spend more time on a bike and outdoors. So whether it’s on the road, gravel, mountain, e-biking, or just cruising around – Outdoor Gears Hub is the place to come for trusted advice.