Kansas City E-Bike Guide

Resources for Parents and Caregivers

If your child has been asking for an e-bike, or if you are already thinking about buying one, this resource is for you. BikeWalkKC has produced a free, comprehensive E-Bike Guide to help families in the Kansas City region make informed, safe decisions about e-bikes. We are sharing it because what you don’t know can hurt your child.

Resources on this page:

  • What to know (and what to buy) – e-bikes vs e-motos
  • Misleading advertising
  • Comprehensive guide to e-bikes
  • E-bike readiness checklist for your child
  • Family contract for  responsible use of e-bikes

The Most Important Thing to Know: E-Bike vs. E-Moto

Not everything marketed as an e-bike is a legal e-bike. Many products being sold online — and even in some retail stores — as “e-bikes” or “electric bikes” are actually e-motos (electric dirt bikes or electric motorbikes). The difference matters enormously:

A Legal E-Bike (Class 1, 2, or 3) must have:

  • Operable pedals that the rider can use
  • A motor of 750 watts or less
  • A maximum motor-only speed of 20 mph (28 mph for Class 3)

An E-Moto (NOT a legal e-bike) typically:

  • Has no operable pedals
  • Has a motor exceeding 750 watts
  • Can reach speeds of 40 mph or more
  • Is classified as a motor vehicle under Kansas and Missouri law
  • SHOULD NOT be operated by minors
  • Is often marketed (sometimes fraudulently) as an e-bike

If a product does not meet all three legal e-bike criteria, it is not an e-bike, regardless of what the label says. If you purchase an e-moto believing it is a bicycle, you expose your child to serious physical danger and legal liability.

 

 

Getting E-Motos Serviced
Most local bike shops will not service or repair e-motos. If the e-moto breaks down or needs repairs, you will be on your own. This is why we strongly urge you to buy through a local bike shop. If you choose to purchase from an online retailer or buy a used bike, call around around to local bike shops to confirm they would be willing to service the specific brand and model you want to purchase.

Don’t Be Fooled by Misleading Advertising

The e-mobility marketplace is poorly regulated and moves faster than consumer protection laws. Here is what to watch out for:

Unverifiable power claims: Some sellers advertise low wattage to appear legal, while the actual motor performs far above that limit. Look for a permanent manufacturer label with the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage, required by both Kansas and Missouri law on any legal e-bike.

Missing or fake class labels: Legal e-bikes must carry a permanently affixed label identifying them as Class 1, 2, or 3. No label (or a label that can be peeled off) is a red flag.

“Up to 750W” or “peak 1000W” language: Continuous wattage and peak wattage are different. A motor rated 750W peak may actually operate at 1,000W or more, making it an e-moto.

Throttle-only operation with no pedal requirement: If the bike moves at full speed with zero pedaling effort and no motor cutoff, it is almost certainly not a Class 1 or Class 3 e-bike (note that Class 2 e-bikes do have a throttle, but the motor stops assisting once the bike reaches 20 mph.)

Prices that seem too good to be true: Very cheap “e-bikes” sold online often use substandard batteries that are not UL 2849 certified, which is a fire safety risk, and cannot be serviced or warranted by any local bike shop.

We strongly recommend purchasing from a reputable local bike shop that is an authorized e-bike dealer. They can verify the class, demonstrate the bike, ensure proper fit, and provide warranty support. If you do buy online, bring the bike to a local shop for professional assembly and inspection before your child rides it.

How to Use the Three Documents

Along with this letter, you will find three resources designed to work together as an educational package:

1. The BikeWalkKC E-Bike Guide— Start here. Read it together with your child before purchasing or allowing e-bike riding. It explains the types of e-bikes, how they differ from e-motos, Kansas and Missouri law, safe riding practices, battery safety, and how to make a smart purchase decision. The guide also describes warning signs of a modified or tampered e-bike — something kids and teens can and do attempt.

2. The E-Bike Readiness Checklist — Use this before you buy and before your child’s first ride. It walks you through key readiness questions: Is your child old enough? Do they have a proper e-bike-rated helmet? Can they ride a regular bike confidently? Is your route safe? Do you understand your insurance situation? Complete this checklist together and be honest about the answers.

3. The E-Bike Family Agreement — Once you have decided your child is ready, complete this agreement together. It sets out clear, specific rules: where your child may ride, when, at what speed, with what gear, and how to handle problems. It includes rules for you to follow, as the parent/caregiver. Both the young rider and the parent/caregiver sign it. Revisit it periodically as your child’s skills and circumstances change. The agreement also includes consequences for breaking the rules — agreed upon in advance.

These three documents are most effective when used in sequence and when the conversations they prompt are honest and ongoing. Safety education is not a one-time event — it is a continuing conversation between you and your child.

Make Cycling Fun AND Safe!

We want children to ride. We want them to experience the freedom and fun that cycling provides. And we want them to come home safe. That starts with you having the right information — and we hope these resources help.

Wishing you and your family safe riding!

 

      

Thanks to the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas City Coalition for Roadway Safety, and the Missouri Department Transportation for funding to make the KC E-Bike Guide possible. This guide is adapted from the “E-BikePGH Guide” originally developed and published by Bike Pittsburgh. Popham Law Firm of Kansas City, MO, provided legal review. Bill Elder Creative provided design adaptation, photography, and creative direction.

 

More Resources and Programs from BikeWalkKC

On our YouTube channel:

Our Youth Education and Safe Routes to School program and classes. Request a class here.

Check our events calendar for adult classes and other community events.

 

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BikeWalkKC is a nonprofit that relies on the charitable support of our members and donors to provide resources like these, to bring bike/pedestrian safety education to local schools, and to fight for better laws and funding at local City Halls. Donations of any amount help us keep our work going!

 

Kansas City E-Bike Guide