E-bike for the school commute – Does it make sense for secondary school students?

The transition to secondary school often involves longer commutes – often several kilometers, sometimes along country roads or through the city. This raises the question for many parents: Is an e-bike a good solution for the school commute?

Von Vincent Augustin | 3 minutes read time

About the author Vincent Augustin

Vincent founded MYVELO together with Fabian. The two share a long-standing passion for cycling. Together they have cycled thousands of kilometers and fought for victories in the German racing bike league. The idea of founding MYVELO arose from their many years of experience and knowledge of what makes a good bike. Find out more about MYVELO now

Published: July 15, 2025 | Updated: July 15, 2025

In this article you will learn when an e-bike makes sense for students, what to look out for when buying one and which legal aspects need to be taken into account.

Why an e-bike is interesting for students

An e-bike can make the journey to school much more comfortable, faster, and more independent for young people. Especially when...

… the school is far away (e.g. more than 5 km)
… public transport is unreliable or overcrowded
… physical activity is desired, but the journey would be too far for a normal bicycle
… bus times don’t fit well with the timetable (early school, clubs, tutoring, etc.)

Riding an e-bike not only makes getting to school more relaxed – you also arrive on time, independently and with a clear head.

Requirements: When does an e-bike make sense?

Most manufacturers and road safety experts recommend a minimum age of around 14 for riding an e-bike. Especially for so-called pedelecs (e-bikes with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h), no special driving license is required—but maturity, a sense of responsibility, and road safety are essential.

Important questions before making a decision:

Is my child safe and proactive when driving?
Can it handle the speed and technology of an e-bike responsibly?
Is the daily route to school suitable (cycle paths, little traffic, safe parking)?

Legal: What parents need to know

For so-called Pedelecs (up to 25 km/h support) the same rules apply as for normal bicycles:

✅ No driving license required
✅ Helmets are not required (but strongly recommended!)
✅ No insurance requirement (but bicycle insurance with theft protection is recommended)
✅ Use of cycle paths permitted

❌ S-Pedelecs (up to 45 km/h) are legally considered mopeds and are not suitable for schoolchildren: a driving licence, insurance and helmet are compulsory, and cycle paths may not be used.

What you should consider when buying an e-bike for students

An e-bike for school should be lightweight, reliable, and safe . Here are the most important criteria:

Frame size and weight: The bike must fit the child's body type. E-bikes that are too heavy are difficult to maneuver.
Good brakes: Disc brakes or high-quality V-brakes are a must – especially in wet conditions and at higher speeds.
Lighting & reflectors: Must comply with StVZO requirements.
Battery range: A smaller battery (250–400 Wh) is often sufficient for the school commute, which saves weight.
Display & control unit: Simple and clear – no unnecessary gimmicks.
Luggage rack & mudguards: For school bags or bike bags, and important in the rain.

💡 Tip: Many specialist retailers also offer youth e-bikes – specially tailored to smaller body sizes and with child-friendly features.

Safety first: helmet, driver training, insurance

Even if helmets aren't mandatory, a good bicycle helmet is a must. E-bike training is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the additional speed and handling.

Further safety tips:

Theft protection: High-quality locks + possibly GPS trackers (e.g. via Airtag or special e-bike solution)
Check insurance coverage: Home contents insurance, special bicycle insurance or e-bike insurance with repair service
Regular maintenance: Brakes, lights and battery should be checked regularly

Conclusion: An e-bike for the school run can be useful – with preparation

An e-bike isn't a toy, it's a serious means of transportation. If your child has learned to use it responsibly and the commute to school is long or inconvenient, an e-bike can be the perfect solution – for more independence, exercise, and everyday practicality.

➡️ The key is not just the right bike, but also the right posture and preparation. This will make the daily commute to school not only faster, but also safer and more relaxed.

Extra tip: A weekend e-bike ride together is a great opportunity to practice handling in different situations – and it's fun, too! 🚴

👉 Are you wondering whether an e-bike is suitable for your child's journey to school?
Talk to us, let your child test ride it – and together we'll see if the technology, safety, and everyday life are a good fit. A good e-bike can be the perfect companion for the next stage of school. Responsible, safe, and with plenty of support.