Bike Safety Education at Jackson Hole Middle School

FOP is teaching the next generation of riders

Jackson Hole’s extensive multi-use pathway network connects many neighborhoods to local schools. As a result, hundreds of kids bike to school every day — many of them on e-bikes. Friends of Pathways supports kids biking to school and wants to give students the skills they need to ride safely, while preserving a positive pathway experience for all users.

Each spring, Friends of Pathways visits Jackson Hole Middle School to teach bike safety through an assembly and an outdoor bike skills course. The curriculum focuses on balance, pedaling, starting, stopping, passing, speed control, signaling, bike maintenance, and pathway etiquette — all important skills to brush up on, no matter what kind of bike you ride.

Friends of Pathways has hired Jim Rooks as our Bike Safety Coordinator. Jim will assist in our efforts to provide pathway etiquette and bike education to youth, visitors, and residents alike. Watch the video and read on for more information about e-bikes and kids.

Many thanks to the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board for supporting our bike safety education program.

So Your Kid Wants an E-Bike…

An overview of the fast-growing world of e-bikes

E-bikes are everywhere, and if your kid is asking for one, you probably have a lot of questions. What do all the specs mean? How much battery life do they need? What’s the difference between volts, watts, motor torque, cadence sensors, pedal assist, and throttle? And once you buy one, how do you maintain it?

There’s a lot to learn, but you don’t have to figure it all out at once.

Friends of Pathways recommends REI’s Electric Bike Basics Series as a great starting point for understanding the e-bike marketplace. PeopleForBikes also offers a helpful video education series called E-Bike Smart, which covers important information for riders and families.

Here in Jackson, the Town of Jackson defines an electric bicycle as a bicycle or tricycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts.

The biggest differences between e-bikes come down to how the motor provides power, whether the bike has a throttle, and the maximum speed at which the motor assists the rider. Most e-bikes fall into three classes:

Class 1: Pedal assist up to 20 mph, no throttle
Class 2: Pedal assist up to 20 mph, with throttle
Class 3: Pedal assist up to 28 mph, no throttle

Pedal assist, often called PAS, determines how much extra power — or “oomph” — the motor provides while the rider is pedaling. Most e-bikes have multiple pedal-assist settings. The higher the setting, the more power the motor provides and the less effort the rider needs to put into the pedals.

On Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes, the motor only provides assistance while the rider is pedaling. Once the rider stops pedaling, the motor stops helping.

Class 2 e-bikes are different because they include a throttle. When the throttle is engaged, it overrides pedal assist and powers the bike without the rider needing to pedal. This is an important distinction for parents to understand, especially when considering what type of e-bike is appropriate for a young rider.

Speed: Why Some E-Bikes Are Harder to Control

Not all e-bikes feel the same. In fact, the riding experience can vary dramatically depending on the quality of the bike’s motor, sensors, and software.

Some lower-end e-bikes can feel jerky, twitchy, or harder to control because they do not regulate motor power as smoothly. Instead of feeling like a regular bike with a little extra help, they can surge forward unexpectedly or make it difficult for the rider to manage speed with precision.

A big part of this comes down to the bike’s sensors.

Many e-bikes use a cadence sensor, which detects when the pedals are moving. Think of it like an “on switch” for the motor. Once the rider starts pedaling, the motor kicks in.

Higher-quality e-bikes often include a torque sensor, which measures how hard the rider is pushing on the pedals. This creates a much more natural riding experience. The harder you pedal, the more help the motor provides. Ease up on the pedals, and the motor eases up too.

In other words, an e-bike with a torque sensor behaves more like a traditional bicycle:

Want to go faster? Pedal harder.
Want to slow down? Pedal less.

That level of control matters — especially for young riders.

Many popular e-bike models do not include torque sensors. Without one, speed can be harder to manage, and riders may rely more heavily on the throttle if the bike has one. On a Class 2 e-bike, the throttle can power the bike without pedaling at all. That means the bike does not naturally slow down when the rider stops pedaling in the same way a traditional bike does.

Because of these safety concerns, many communities restrict riders under age 16 from using Class 2 e-bikes with throttles. In Jackson, youth are allowed to ride Class 2 e-bikes, but helmets are required.

It is also important to remember that the Town of Jackson enforces a 15 mph speed limit on the pathway network, with 10 mph limits in selected congested areas. For young riders, especially on Class 3 e-bikes or powerful throttle bikes, staying within those limits can require real restraint.

Before choosing an e-bike for your child, consider not just how fast it can go, but how well your child can control it. A smoother, more predictable bike can make a big difference for safety — for your child and for everyone else using the pathway.

Weight: Some E-Bikes Are Very Heavy

E-bikes can be surprisingly heavy. Some models weigh more than 70 pounds — and for younger riders, that can be a lot of bike to manage.

On a heavier e-bike, a throttle can make it easier to get moving from a stop, especially when carrying a backpack, gear, or other cargo. But that added weight also matters when it comes to steering, balancing, and stopping. A heavier bike carries more force, which can make it harder to control — especially at higher speeds or in crowded areas.

This is particularly important for tweens and teenagers, who may not weigh much more than the e-bike they are riding. If the bike is too large, too heavy, or too powerful for the rider, it can quickly become difficult to handle safely.

Before purchasing an e-bike for your child, consider the size, weight, and power of the bike alongside your child’s age, strength, experience, and judgment. An e-bike is not just a transportation purchase — it is an investment in your child’s safety and independence.

Do your homework. Test-ride before you buy. Involve your child in the decision. Make sure they can start, stop, turn, and maneuver the bike confidently before sending them out on Jackson’s pathways and streets.

If you are considering a direct-to-consumer e-bike, such as a Rad Power Bike or similar model, try to ride one first. And unless you are an experienced bike mechanic, have the bike professionally assembled and checked by a local bike shop. A properly fitted and assembled bike can help prevent buyer’s remorse — or something much more serious.