Boca Raton launches online e-bike safety course for teens as police report rising injuries

Boca Raton police say teenage e-bike riders are getting hurt in crashes at an increasing rate. The city is responding with an online safety course.

Boca Raton is offering a free online e-bike safety course for teenagers after police reported an increase in injuries involving electric bicycles.

The course, launched this month, covers traffic rules, helmet use, and safe riding practices for riders ages 13 to 18. City officials said the goal is to teach young riders how to share the road with cars and pedestrians before more crashes happen.

Dylan Huberman, public information manager for the Boca Raton Police Department, said officers encounter e-bike issues throughout the city. The department has used social media and direct contact with riders to educate children and parents, Huberman said.

Police cannot separate e-bike crashes from bicycle and pedestrian accidents in official statistics, making it difficult to measure the exact rise. But Huberman said anecdotal evidence from officers shows a clear increase in injuries.

Medical professionals at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami-Dade have treated many young patients with complicated injuries from e-bike accidents, according to Dr. Patricio Lau, the hospital's medical director for trauma.

Lau said e-bikes can reach speeds up to 28 mph, faster than traditional bicycles, and riders often lack the experience to handle them safely.

The free course is available through the city's website. Teens who complete it receive a certificate.