Should Kids and Teens Be Riding E-Bikes?

E-bikes are everywhere these days. They’re fast, fun, give kids a sense of independence. But for me, this isn’t just a casual debate — it’s something I’ve seen the heartbreaking side of.

Not long ago, my nephew’s friend — just 13 years old — was killed while riding an e-bike. That loss shook our family and our community. It made me stop and really ask: are e-bikes safe for kids and teenagers?

The Appeal of E-Bikes

I get it. E-bikes can be exciting and practical, especially for young people:

• Freedom: They let teens get to school, practice, or a friend’s house without relying on rides.

• Less effort: Steep hills and long distances aren’t as intimidating.

• A taste of adulthood: Riding an e-bike feels like a step toward independence before driving age.

And as someone who uses a power wheelchair, I understand how powerful it feels to have that kind of freedom and mobility.

The Hidden Risks

But the risks are real — and they’re often underestimated.

• Speed and weight: E-bikes aren’t just bicycles with a boost. They’re heavier and can hit 20–28 mph. At that speed, even a small mistake can be deadly.

• Kids’ judgment: A 12- or 13-year-old doesn’t always have the reflexes or experience to handle traffic safely.

• Lack of rules: Some towns set age minimums, others don’t. It leaves parents and kids unsure what’s safe or legal.

For my nephew’s friend, (who he played basketball with) those risks turned into tragedy. And it’s a reminder that this isn’t just “what if” — it’s happening to real families.

A Safer Middle Ground

I don’t think banning e-bikes completely for kids and teens is the answer. But pretending they’re harmless isn’t either. I believe we need stronger safeguards:

• Clearer age limits — younger kids shouldn’t be riding them at all.

• Lower-speed options for teens who are just starting out.

• Mandatory helmets and training, just like we expect for drivers.

• Parental boundaries around where and how far kids can ride.

E-bikes can give kids freedom — but freedom without enough safety can take lives too soon.

When I think about my nephew’s friend, I can’t help but feel that more rules, more awareness, and more caution could have saved him. We can’t undo what happened, but maybe by being honest about the risks, we can prevent another family from going through the same heartbreak.

In memory of Nico Lombardi. Please consider donating to the GoFundMe fundraiser to support basketball scholarships in his name.

 Light in the Darkest Times

Life has a way of testing us in ways we could never imagine. Over the years, I have faced battles I never thought I’d have the strength to endure. In 2017, I was diagnosed with breast cancer—a word that shook me to my core. While I fought for my health, I held onto hope, but the weight of uncertainty was always there.

Not long after, my world was shaken again when my uncle took his own life. The grief was heavy, layered on top of everything else I was already carrying. Then, three years ago, my dad suffered a stroke. He survived, but it left him with dementia, changing both his life and ours forever. Watching someone you love slip away in pieces is a pain that doesn’t have a simple cure.

It’s easy, in moments like these, to feel swallowed by the darkness. Some days the heaviness feels like it will never lift. But through all of this, I have discovered small yet powerful sources of light that keep me moving forward.

The Healing Power of My Dog

My dog has been my steady companion through it all. When words fail, when grief is too sharp to speak aloud, there is always comfort in a wagging tail and loving eyes that simply understand. Walks, cuddles, or just the quiet presence of a loyal friend—those moments bring me back to myself when I feel lost.

Writing My Way Through

I have also found healing in writing stories. Putting words on a page gives me a safe place to release emotions I can’t always express out loud. Writing allows me to create worlds where hope survives, where love endures, and where courage carries characters through their storms. In many ways, those stories mirror my own journey, and they remind me that even in hardship, there is beauty.

Art as a Lifeline

Art has become another lifeline for me. When I sit down with colors, brushes, or pencils, I lose myself in creating. It’s a way of processing pain without speaking it, of transforming sorrow into something tangible and meaningful. Sharing my artwork online has also connected me with others, and in that connection, I have found encouragement and community.

Moving Forward

I won’t pretend the road has been easy, or that the struggles don’t still hurt. But what I have learned is that healing doesn’t come all at once—it comes in small, gentle moments. It comes in the unconditional love of a pet, in the freedom of creativity, and in the courage to keep moving forward, one day at a time.

If you are facing your own hardships, I hope you can find your version of those small lights—whether it’s through writing, art, animals, or something else that brings you peace. Because even in the darkest seasons, there are ways to find hope and joy.

• Cerebral palsy (CP) is often associated with depression and anxiety because of a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors that interact over time. Here are the main reasons:

1. Physical Challenges and Chronic Pain

• Many people with CP live with chronic pain, fatigue, and mobility limitations.

• Daily physical difficulties can lead to frustration, feelings of helplessness, or loss of independence, which are risk factors for depression and anxiety.

2. Neurological Factors

• CP is caused by early brain injury or abnormal development. The same brain changes that affect motor function may also alter mood regulation and stress responses.

• Research suggests some overlap between neurological pathways involved in motor impairment and those involved in mental health conditions.

3. Social and Environmental Stressors

• Stigma, bullying, or discrimination can contribute to low self-esteem and social isolation.

• Barriers to education, employment, and relationships may cause additional stress.

• Dependence on caregivers for daily needs may reduce feelings of autonomy, which is linked to mental well-being.

4. Emotional Impact of Disability

• Growing up with a visible disability can affect identity formation and self-image.

• Some individuals may experience grief over lost opportunities or compare themselves negatively to peers.

5.Healthcare Access and Stress

• Frequent medical visits, surgeries, or therapies can be overwhelming.

• Unequal access to appropriate physical and mental health care can worsen symptoms if depression or anxiety is not recognized and treated.

 Depression and anxiety are more common in people with cerebral palsy because of the interplay of brain differences, physical pain, reduced independence, and social challenges. Early screening and integrated care—addressing both physical and mental health—are key to improving quality of life.

I personally have experienced discrimination in the workplace because people mostly hire me because of my disability and not based on my qualifications which hasn't helped with my self confidence or self esteem and some people think I am dumb just because I use a wheelchair. I wish I didn't have to rely on people to help me with my physical needs and having to deal with disability programs that change their rules and regulations over time that make it more difficult for people with disabilities to live a fulfilling lifestyle. I also find that the older I get the harder it is to move due to fatigue and the spasticity associated with the CP is getting worse. There are days where I wish I could take a magic wand to have a break, but then I think having a disability isn't the worst thing in the world. To make it through, I smile and have a sense of humor. I also focus on the people who treat me with respect and kindness and pray for the people who don't. I pray that they will understand and have more compassion someday.

• Life can be challenging and change and go in different directions in any second just like the flow of a river can. But whatever you do, please don’t give up. Please stay. You have a lot of joy and beauty to share with the world. There was a time in my life where I felt very anxious and depressed because of having a disability and the challenges of being a teenager. Having a disability isn’t bad, but some people’s attitudes towards people who have disabilities can be very mean and hurtful especially when people assume I am dumb just because I use a wheelchair. Anyway, I’m glad I stayed because I got to meet my nephews who I love so much and there are so many other reasons worth living for. If some people have a negative attitude towards you, it doesn’t define you. It has something to do with them. You have so much to offer so please don’t let a bad experience or a person’s behavior bring you down. 

• July is disability pride month. I am proud that people with disabilities including myself continue to fight for our rights. I wish everyone would understand that anyone can become disabled at any time. Please try to have more compassion and understanding because you could end up in the same situation. Anything in life could happen to you. 

The sunflower in the drawing above is for hidden disabilities such as not being able to talk, or  hear or a learning disability or anxiety or depression. 

• As I get older and wiser, I think of every relationship whether it’s family, a friend or a romantic relationship as if they are teachers. When I was in school, at the end of the school year, teachers went  out of my life. I learned a lot from them and what I learned made a big impact and will last a lifetime. A friendship or a romantic relationship may not last long, but I have learned something from everyone who has come into my life. If a relationship doesn’t last, it doesn’t mean I did anything wrong, it just means the relationship served its purpose and time, and it is time to move on to the next phase to learn something new from other people. If a friendship or romantic relationship doesn’t last for you, don’t blame yourself for why it ended, just think about what you learned and apply it to the next relationship. 

Sometimes people may come back into your life to teach you something new, but if they don’t respect you or fit in with your values, it’s best to let them go. 

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• My old Permobil power wheelchair was donated to the ALS Association. I’m so happy someone who needs it is going to be able to use it. 

• It’s so easy to focus on what’s going wrong  instead of what’s going right in life so I decided to list what I am grateful for. I am grateful that: 

I am a survivor of cerebral palsy and breast cancer and thankful for my health overall. 

I have family and friends who care about me and love me even though no relationship is perfect except the relationships I have with all of my dogs over the years. 

I have lived in beautiful places such as Hawaii and California.

I live in a nice neighborhood and house.

I wake up in the morning and can sleep peacefully at night.

I can breathe on my own. 

I can talk.               

I can smile.

I can laugh.

I can call and yell for help.

I can talk on the phone.

I can taste chocolate. 

I can smell chocolate. 

I can see sunflowers, tulips and roses. 

I can hear birds singing. 

I can use my left arm.

I can sit in my power wheelchair so I can get out of the house.

I can write and express myself well. 

I can read and listen to books. 

I can do artwork with pastels and paint with my left hand. 

I can learn even though I might not understand something right away, but that’s okay. 

I can workout and ride a bike even though I cannot walk. 

I graduated from Rutgers University.

I volunteered in Mexico to build houses.

I visited Scotland.

I visited Seattle, Washington/Whidbey Island. 

I have been on cruises to Canada and the Caribbean. 

I drove across country. 

I was a mentor to other people who have disabilities. 

I try my best with anything and that’s all I can do. 

I am getting help with my mental health and am feeling better about myself. 

If I were to die today or tomorrow, I don’t have regrets except for taking circumstances personally and blaming myself for many years. My advice is try not to take circumstances personally or blame yourself because it takes away from your peace and happiness. 

What are you grateful for?

• My daily mantras are: I am worthy of love, peace, and joy. My thoughts do not define me—I choose to embrace kindness, strength, and self-compassion.

• Its not what I do for a living that matters, it’s how I treat myself and others that matters.

• Communication has gone downhill. Sometimes I’ll be expecting a response like a thank you or a sorry for what you’re going through. Instead, I don’t get a response. I feel like we live in a society where people don’t respond unless you ask a question. That’s sad because sometimes not responding is like they are too busy or don’t care. I know they probably care and maybe they are going through a difficult time themselves, but they come across as though they don’t care. Maybe they think if the person doesn’t ask a question, they don’t want a response, they only want to tell or vent. It’s sad we live in a fast paced society and people don’t really slow down to talk to one other and get distracted especially since the existence of texting and social media.

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• Don’t react quickly. Ask yourself would this upset me if someone said that to me? If so, it’s best not to say anything. 

• It’s sad how rehab and nursing home facilities are understaffed and most of the staff don’t care about the patients. Some people lack compassion and don’t put themselves in other people’s shoes. A lot of people don’t realize or want to think that they could become sick or disabled at any time. They should think about how they would feel if they were treated differently or poorly when they become sick or disabled.

• Remember not to become like the people who hurt you. As much as I don’t want to see them again, sometimes people come back into my life to remind me to not be like them. Whatever they did to hurt you, don’t let that define your self worth. You are worthy and loved just the way you are!