My name is JP Blake.

I co-founded E-Lux Electric Bikes and spent 10 years helping lead the first wave of EBike adoption. We sold thousands of bikes and got thousands of riders on the road.

But as EBikes became more popular, I started noticing a problem.

Young riders were zipping through traffic with little safety awareness—riding with the freedom of a car but none of the training to handle it. That’s when I knew something had to change.

In early 2025, I started the EBike Safety Foundation.

What’s the Problem?

When I was a kid, everything happened in front of mom and dad. Phones were attached to walls, and if I wanted to see my friends, I had to leave the house. That meant getting a driver’s license—and driver’s ed. I learned how the streets work before I ever got behind the wheel.

But times have changed.

Today’s kids are connected without leaving their rooms—gaming, texting, FaceTiming. Cars aren’t essential anymore. So when they do head across town, it’s often on electric bikes.

Parents like the idea:

– Kids can get to school solo
– They have more freedom
– EBikes go farther, faster, and easier than pedal bikes

But there’s a big problem:

Most of these kids are now riding in real traffic—with zero training.

• They don’t know the rules.
• They don’t know how fast 25 mph really is.
• They don’t realize how invisible they are to a distracted driver.
• They treat EBikes like toys, not traffic vehicles.
• Some ride two-up.
• Some skip helmets.
• Some don’t even know they’re breaking the law.

We’ve reached a turning point. Something has to change.

What’s the Solution?

We’ve identified three urgent needs in the EBike world:

1. Awareness of the Risk

Most people think EBikes are “just bikes”—but they’re not riding them like bikes. They’re faster, heavier, and out in traffic with cars and trucks.

Injuries and fatalities are increasing—and most are preventable. We need to:

– Wake up parents
– Educate riders
– Treat EBikes, and traffic, with real respect

2. Advocacy with Government and Industry

There’s very little guidance or standardization around EBike safety, laws, and infrastructure. Some schools have policies. Many do not. Cities want rules but don’t know where to start.

That’s why we’re stepping in to push for smarter, clearer EBike safety standards. We’re working with:

– Cities
– School boards
– State governments
– Manufacturers

3. Certified Training for All Ages

No one hands a 15-year-old the keys to a car without training. But we do it every day with EBikes.

“Be careful” isn’t enough. That’s why we’re building certified EBike training programs built for:

– Teenagers
– Real-world traffic
– Practical knowledge

Taught by trained professionals. Built for everyday safety.

Every rider needs training before hitting the street. Every parent should demand it.

Learn more about how we’re changing the culture of EBike safety: ebikesafetyfoundation.org/

Let’s make our roads safer—one rider at a time.

Ride Safe. Ride Smart.

JP Blake

As of January 1, 2025, California has updated how throttles can be used on electric bikes. These changes are part of a broader effort to standardize safety expectations across e-bike classes.

Here’s What the New Law Says:

• Class 2 E-Bikes:
  • Throttle still allowed
  • Motor must cut off at 20 mph
• Class 1 & Class 3 E-Bikes:
  • Throttle use is prohibited
  • Exception: A very slow “walk mode” (3.7 mph max) is still permitted

For more, see the official legal summary.

Experience From the Saddle

As the Co-Founder and former CEO of E-Lux Electric Bikes, I’ve spent 10 years witnessing how riders interact with e-bike technology. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Throttles aren’t inherently more dangerous than pedal assist. In some situations—like turning—they might even be safer. Pedaling in Pedal Assist mode during a turn can trigger motor acceleration, increasing crash risk.

The Real Danger? Rider Awareness.

No matter what class of e-bike you ride—Class 1, 2, or 3—safety comes down to you and how you ride.

• Stay aware of your speed
• Be mindful of your surroundings
• Always allow for proper stopping distance

EBikes are inherently dangerous. Whether they have Pedal Assist, Throttles or both. The power source doesn’t change this simple truth:

Staying present and alert is the most effective way to avoid a crash.

Ride Smart. Ride Safe. Stay Informed.

These law changes are a great reminder to check your bike’s classification, understand your equipment, and adjust your riding habits accordingly.

Tags:

#ebike #californialaw #ridersrule #ebikesafety #eluxbikes

Sources:

– https://www.mofo.com/resources/insights/250506-new-california-law-redefines-e-bikes

It’s time to head to work. So, you hop on your trusty electric bike and set out confidently. Then, you remember that there are other e-bikes, bicycles, pedestrians and motorists all commuting at the same time. How do you make sure that you have a safe and pleasant trip to work? The following bicycling etiquette tips will help you commute more easily.

1) Always Be Predictable

Safety is the top priority for commuting (and traveling in general). If you want other people to behave predictably around you, you need to also be predictable. So, follow the rules of the road. Don’t surprise the cars next to you by suddenly shooting across multiple lanes to make a turn.

Always keep yourself as visible as possible. During the day, think about where cars are and try to stay in their lines of sight. Avoid cycling along in someone’s blind spot for too long. At night, make sure you have sufficient reflectors and/or lights to ensure that you are easy to see.

2) Pass Safely

Bikes can squeeze through relatively tight gaps. However, that doesn’t mean that you should try to weave between pedestrians or come shooting out of a gap in traffic. Always look to make sure that the coast is clear before you pass anyone. Additionally, try to give yourself space as you are maneuvering around others on the road.

If you are passing stopped or parked cars, remember that someone could suddenly open a door. They should be checking the mirror first, but that doesn’t matter much when you slam into the open door. Always be vigilant and ready to stop if someone looks like they are going to open a door or otherwise get in your way.

3) Pay Attention

It is tempting to blast some tunes or talk on the phone while you are riding your bike. This isn’t a great idea. Always make sure you can hear background noise around you. Some music is okay as long as you are not going to miss any hazards because of it.

4) Park Considerately

When you are parking your bike at a rack or other anchoring point, remember that others may want to park there. Also, try to avoid blocking pedestrians or traffic in any way. In short, be considerate of how your bike position will affect others when you are stopping.

If possible, park your bike indoors or in a secure area. Unfortunately, publicly accessible bike racks can be attractants for thieves.

5) Be Smart When Stopping

If you come to a stop at a light or stop sign, be patient and wait for the flow of traffic to start in your direction again. Additionally, make sure you are visible. You don’t want to suddenly pop out in front of moving cars.

Find an EBike Safety Course Today

If you follow the above biking etiquette tips, and are a safe rider, you can enjoy a pleasant and quick commuting experience.

Whether you are riding an electric bike or a traditional bicycle, you likely want to be able to take it wherever and whenever you want. Sometimes that may mean riding in the dark. Obviously, this can be a little dangerous. So, it is a good idea to use some extra caution whenever you are riding in a low-light setting. The following tips will help.

1) Use Bike Lights and Reflectors

The most important thing you can do is ensure that others can see you. This means placing lights on your bike and reflectors on your bike and clothing. Reflectors will illuminate you whenever a car or other vehicle’s lights shine on you. However, you don’t want to count on that visibility alone. Similarly, you won’t be able to see if there are no nearby lights. So, it is a good idea to also have a front and rear light on your bike.

2) Only Ride in Areas With Good Visibility

No amount of visibility upgrades will help you if you are riding around a tight lane with tight corners. Try to choose relatively straight and open sections of road where the visibility is as substantial as possible. Having extra space and clear sight-lines will help to ensure that motorists can see and avoid you. Plus, you will be able to see where you are going more easily. If you can ride somewhere with streetlights, that is even better.

3) Ride Carefully

Don’t count on others to keep you safe when you are out riding. It only takes one person who isn’t paying attention to cause an accident. So, make sure you are always riding with caution. Leave space between you and other riders and motorists. Additionally, keep your eyes up and watch out for vehicles. Don’t assume that everyone will follow the rules of the road perfectly. It is much better to let a car go when you have the right-of-way than to get in an accident.

4) Wear Appropriate Clothes

It gets chilly at night. If you are overly cold, you will be less focusing on safety and more likely to make a mistake. A simple solution is to wear appropriate clothing for the nighttime. Additionally, try to choose clothes that have light colors or reflective strips. Riding around in all black late at night is asking for trouble.

5) Avoid Dazzling Others

The lights on your bike may not seem that bright. However, if they are shined directly in a driver’s eyes, they are probably dazzling. If motorists can’t see easily, they are more likely to cause an accident. So, make sure your light is angled such that it won’t dazzle anyone. This is a courteous practice that keeps everyone on the road a little safer.

Take an E-Bike Safety Foundation Course Today

With the right electric bike, you could be cruising around town all day. If you want to avoid riding at night, the motor can help you get home before dark. Alternatively, you can use the pedal assist mode for an easier ride so that you can focus on the road ahead more easily.