E-Bike Injury Attorneys Serving Charleston, Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant, and Surrounding Areas

Injured in an E-Bike Accident? How Our Attorneys Help Riders Across the Lowcountry

Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, have become common throughout the state. They can be seen on Charleston, Daniel Island, and Mount Pleasant streets, sidewalks, and school routes. These motor-assisted bikes can reach speeds of 20 to 35 mph, depending on the model. Unlike traditional bicycles, e-bikes can be powered by a throttle or provide motorized assistance while the rider is pedaling.

Despite the growing danger the bikes pose to the community, South Carolina has no statewide law regulating the use of e-bikes. As a result, parents, pedestrians, and residents are left to deal with the consequences. The attorneys at Steinberg Law Firm represent individuals harmed by e-bike misuse in Charleston and the surrounding areas, working to hold negligent parties accountable.

Unsafe E-Bike Use on Sidewalks and Roads

Electric bicycles now rival mopeds in speed, yet they are often treated like ordinary bikes under local rules. With little oversight and no clear state regulations, e-bikes have become a source of growing concern in communities like Charleston, Daniel Island, and Mount Pleasant.

Unsupervised Riders and Preventable Accidents

In many neighborhoods, children are riding e-bikes without helmets, adult supervision, or even a basic understanding of the risks. Daniel Island residents have reported young riders flying down sidewalks at unsafe speeds.

According to Post and Courier, stories are emerging across Mount Pleasant, where middle school officials report that 50 to 75 students regularly leave campus on e-bikes that appear to exceed legal power and speed limits. Most do not wear helmets, and many perform stunts or ride double, even after being injured in prior falls.

These behaviors are not isolated. Residents and school staff alike describe a pattern of unsafe conduct that puts pedestrians, other riders, and children at risk. Parents are often unaware of these vehicles’ true capabilities, and many communities lack the rules and enforcement tools to intervene before someone else gets hurt.

Speed, Silence, and Limited Awareness

Most e-bikes are quiet and fast. A fully motorized model can easily reach 25 to 35 miles per hour. Riders can accelerate quickly, often without pedaling, and approach pedestrians or vehicles without warning. Drivers report near misses as e-bikes shoot across intersections or cut through traffic without signaling. The silence of the motor, combined with sudden movements and unpredictable behavior, creates a serious hazard for everyone on the road.

E-Bike Laws Are Unclear, While Injuries Are on the Rise

South Carolina defines an electric-assist bicycle as a bike with a motor that produces no more than 750 watts and reaches a top assisted speed of 20 miles per hour. Manufacturers are required to label this information, but many parents and riders either overlook it or purchase more powerful models online. As a result, many so-called e-bikes on Charleston’s streets and sidewalks legally qualify as mopeds, which require a license, registration, and a minimum rider age of 15.

Local governments have stepped in to address the regulatory gap, but enforcement remains inconsistent. In Mount Pleasant, town leaders updated their ordinance in 2023 after a series of serious incidents involving unsupervised minors. Under the current law, e-bikes may use sidewalks but must travel at speeds of 10 miles per hour or less. In reality, many of these vehicles reach speeds of 25 to 35 mph.

One tragic incident involved two 12-year-old boys sharing an e-bike who struck and killed a small dog being walked on a sidewalk. The incident prompted the town’s first wave of regulations, but more recent events have made it clear that stronger oversight is needed.

According to Post and Courier, proposed updates discussed at a recent Town Council committee meeting include:

• Removing the age limit on penalties so that all unsafe riders, regardless of age, can be held accountable.
• Increasing the maximum sidewalk speed to 15 mph to align with the speed of standard bicycles.
• Expanding education and enforcement through public schools and law enforcement partnerships.

Charleston County School District is also implementing bike registration at local schools, where staff will distinguish between traditional bicycles, electric-assist bikes, and mopeds. The initiative includes education for families about helmet use, speed restrictions, and legal requirements for motorized vehicles.

Despite these efforts, South Carolina has yet to enact a comprehensive statewide law regulating who may ride e-bikes and where they may be ridden. This lack of clarity leaves the public vulnerable, and injuries are increasing.

Common Injuries Caused by E-Bike Accidents

When young, unlicensed, and unsupervised riders operate high-powered e-bikes, serious injuries can occur. These injuries affect not only the riders themselves, but also pedestrians, drivers, and other cyclists who share the roads and sidewalks.

Some of the most common injuries caused by e-bike collisions include:

• Fractures and broken bones are often caused by high-speed falls or direct impact with vehicles or fixed objects.
• Head injuries and concussions are prevalent in riders who are not wearing helmets.
• Soft tissue damage, such as lacerations, bruising, and sprains, can occur from sudden collisions or being thrown from a bike. 
• Spinal cord injuries can result from high-speed crashes or being hit while walking.
• Emotional trauma, especially for young riders involved in serious incidents or for pedestrians injured in unpredictable accidents.

E-bike injuries may require emergency medical care, long-term rehabilitation, and costly recovery time. In cases involving minors operating vehicles that legally qualify as mopeds, questions about liability and supervision become even more complicated. If you or your child were injured in an e-bike incident, an attorney can help determine who may be held responsible, including parents, manufacturers, or property owners.

Why E-Bike Classification Affects Safety and Liability

Electric bicycles come in several classes, but many parents, riders, and even retailers do not understand the legal distinctions. These differences matter. When an e-bike is misclassified or modified to exceed its intended speed or power, it may no longer qualify as a bicycle under the law. That change can affect not only where it is allowed to operate, but also who may legally ride it and whether insurance or registration is required.

• Class 1 E-Bikes. These models feature a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling. The motor cuts off once the bike reaches 20 miles per hour. 
• Class 2 E-Bikes. Class 2 models feature a throttle that enables riders to accelerate without pedaling. These bikes are often subject to the same rules as Class 1, though some municipalities treat throttle-controlled bikes more strictly.
• Class 3 E-Bikes. These bikes can reach speeds of up to 28 miles per hour with pedal assist and are often equipped with speedometers. In many states, including South Carolina, Class 3 bikes are not allowed on sidewalks or multi-use paths and may only be ridden by individuals age 16 or older. 
• Unregulated or Misclassified Mopeds. These high-powered models often have motors exceeding 750 watts and can reach speeds of 35 to 40 miles per hour. When used by unlicensed riders or operated on sidewalks and trails, these vehicles pose a significant safety risk.

In many e-bike injury cases, the central issue is whether the device involved qualifies as a bicycle or something else. If the vehicle exceeds the legal limits for wattage or speed, it may be treated as a moped or even a motorcycle. That classification affects everything from fault analysis to insurance coverage and legal responsibility.

How Misclassification Affects Liability

When an injury occurs, the legal consequences often depend on the type of vehicle involved. If a child riding a 35-mile-per-hour motorized bike hits a pedestrian, the legal case may include negligence, municipal code violations, or failure to supervise the child.

If the vehicle should have been registered as a moped, the parent or guardian may be liable for allowing an unlicensed rider to operate it illegally.

As electric bike technology continues to evolve, the lines between bikes, mopeds, and motorcycles are blurring. Local governments are struggling to keep up, and in the meantime, residents are left to deal with the consequences. 

Speak with a Charleston E-Bike Injury Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an incident involving an electric bicycle, you should take action right away. These cases often include minors, unregistered vehicles, and unclear local ordinances. You may be facing medical bills, lost income, or long-term recovery. You do not have to figure it out alone.

The Steinberg Law Firm represents individuals seriously hurt by unsafe electric bicycle use across Charleston, Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant, and surrounding South Carolina communities. Our legal team understands how fast-moving technology and slow-moving laws can create confusion and gaps in our legal system. Call our office at 843-720-2800 to speak with a team that knows how to level the playing field.