The E-Bike Epidemic

The E-Bike Epidemic

From The Middle American by Brian Groesser

April 29, 2026 · 56 min · Season 4 · Episode 9

About this episode

The episode discusses the rise of e-motos marketed as e-bikes and the implications of their use by young teenagers in urban areas.

You've probably seen them in your neighborhood or around town - a kid on what seems like a dirt bike driving recklessly in and out of traffic. These are actually known as "e-motos" but marketed as "e-bikes" and legally defined as motorcycles. Yet, parents are buying them at alarming rates for largely their middle school-aged boys to operate on city streets. It's the equivalent of giving the keys of your car to your 13-year-old and encouraging them to wear a seatbelt. T...

People in this episode

Host: Brian Groesser

Topics covered

  • e-bikes
  • youth safety
  • traffic laws
  • parenting
  • urban mobility

Keywords

  • e-bikes
  • e-motos
  • traffic safety
  • youth
  • parenting
  • urban transportation

Mentioned in this episode

Products: e-motos, e-bikes

Places: city

More episodes of The Middle American

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Middle American podcast page.