Ebike Shopping Checklist: Must-Have Features to Make Your Teen Safer
- Team PedalAce
- Aug 7
- 4 min read
Here’s a breakdown of the essential and nice-to-have safety features to look for when shopping for an ebike.
If you’re shopping for an ebike, safety is probably top of mind, and rightly so. Ebikes are a thrilling way for teens to gain independence and get around, but they also come with risks, especially for inexperienced drivers. The good news? Today’s ebikes are packed with safety features designed to help prevent accidents and keep ebikers safe, you just have to know what to look for.
1. Reliable Brakes (This Is Non-Negotiable)
If you only check one safety feature before buying an ebike, make sure the brakes are high-quality, dependable, and well-reviewed. With ebike speeds reaching up to 28 mph, and weighing much more than traditional bikes, stopping quickly and safely is crucial.
Specific brake features to look for:
Hydraulic disc brakes. They’re often stronger, have more consistent stopping power, and are less affected by weather conditions than mechanical disc brakes.
Anti-lock braking systems (ABS). ABS helps prevent wheels from locking up during hard stops, especially on slippery or uneven surfaces. ABS is standard on cars, but not yet on ebikes, although thankfully, it is becoming more widely available.
Additional safety tip: Ebike brakes wear out faster than traditional bike brakes because it takes so much more effort to stop a faster, heavier machine. Test ebike brakes every single time you ride, and get them professionally inspected every one to three months, depending on how often and hard the ebike is driven.
2. Integrated Lighting
Headlamps and rear lights help bikers to see what’s around them, but even more importantly, they help other drivers to see the ebike and its driver.
With integrated lighting, front and rear lights are permanently mounted and wired directly into the ebike’s electrical system.
And yes, you could add separate, battery powered lights yourself, but integrated lighting is better because you won’t put-off adding lights until it’s too late, the batteries won’t run out or require separate charging, and the light controls will be easy to activate (typically a button on the ebike’s display unit).
In addition to integrated lights, you’ll want to ensure:
Bright front headlight that illuminates the path ahead.
Rear red light that stays visible from a distance.
Other lighting nice-to-haves:
Brake lights that activate when slowing down, so cars and other riders know they’re stopping.
Turn signals can be a fantastic bonus for urban riding or any area with dense traffic.
Visibility is everything—especially if your teen will be riding in the early morning, at dusk, or in variable weather. So spending more on lighting is money well spent.
3. Safer Tires & Traction
Tires may not be the flashiest component of an ebike, but they make a huge difference in safety.
Wider tires provide better grip and stability, especially on varied terrain.
Puncture-resistant tires can help avoid flats, which can be dangerous and frustrating.
Look for tires with reflective sidewalls to increase visibility.
Tread pattern matters too: For off-road use, look for more aggressive tread.
4. Battery Essentials
Ebike fires linked to faulty lithium-ion batteries have made major headlines, so if you’re concerned about fire safety, that’s understandable. Thankfully, many ebike manufacturers are prioritizing safer battery systems.
With ebike batteries, you want to look for:
UL 2849 or UL 2271 certification: This means the battery system has passed independent safety testing.
Battery Management System (BMS): This monitors battery temperature, voltage, and charging to help prevent overcharging, overheating, and short-circuits.
Smart cut-off features that automatically stop charging when the battery is full.
Additional battery safety tips: Always charge the battery indoors in a well-ventilated area away from flammable materials. Avoid cheap aftermarket battery replacements or chargers. Don’t overcharge; disconnect the charger once you’re at a full charge. Never charge a lithium-ion battery that is swelling, leaking, overheating, smoking, or putting off any unusual smells.
5. Size & Weight: Is the Bike a Good Fit?
While not a safety feature, how well the ebike fits its driver is an critical safety consideration. If the bike is too heavy or large, it can be harder to control.
Make sure the ebike:
Matches your teen’s height and inseam.
Has a manageable weight. Some ebikes weigh over 70 lbs, which may be too much for a smaller rider to handle comfortably.
Has an appropriate frame style. Step-through frames can be easier to mount and dismount, which is helpful for less experienced riders.
Test-driving a few ebikes can help the driver to know what feels right for them.
Bonus Safety Features Worth Considering
These aren’t deal-breakers, but they’re nice to have and can contribute to overall safety and ease of use:
Horn or electronic bell: These are louder than traditional bells and more likely to be heard in traffic.
Kickstand: A sturdy kickstand makes parking the bike safer and prevents accidental tip-overs.
App connectivity: Some ebikes allow parents to track the bike’s location, check battery health, or even limit speed via a connected app. This is specifically important to parents of teens.
Bottom Line: Safety Is in the Specs
Choosing an ebike for your teen is a huge decision, but by focusing on key safety features—especially brakes, lighting, tires, battery safety, and fit—you can feel confident that you’re setting them up for a safer, more enjoyable ride.
And remember, even the safest ebike can be dangerous without proper training. That’s why we created our online ebike safety course for teens which covers everything from traffic laws to responsible riding habits so that your teen can ride smart, stay safe, and have fun.
Enroll your teen today >>>
