Electric bikes have become increasingly popular among California families. For many teenagers, an e-bike offers a convenient way to travel to school, visit friends, or get around the neighborhood without relying on a car.
However, new research from the UC San Diego School of Medicine suggests that e-bike injuries are increasing rapidly across the state, with children representing a disproportionately large share of those injured.
The findings arrive as more parents purchase e-bikes for their children and California cities adopt new regulations intended to protect younger riders.
E-Bike Accidents Are on the Rise in 2026
A statewide study led by researchers at the UC San Diego School of Medicine found an exponential increase in reported e-bike accidents across California.
The study, published in July 2026 in Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open, analyzed California Highway Patrol collision data from 2018 through 2024. Researchers reviewed 4,035 e-bike accidents and 58,332 traditional bicycle accidents during that period.
According to the UC San Diego report:
- Reported e-bike accidents increased from only two in 2018 to 1,506 in 2024.
- Approximately 15.6% of injured e-bike riders were 14 or younger, compared with 10.2% of injured traditional bicyclists.
- E-bike riders were more likely to sustain moderate to severe injuries than traditional bicyclists.
- Researchers observed a significant increase in e-bike-related deaths in 2024, although overall mortality rates during the study period were similar for e-bike riders and traditional bicyclists.
- E-bike riders were more likely to be involved in violations related to unsafe speeds and improper turns.
The researchers described the number of injured children as one of the study’s most concerning findings. They emphasized the need for properly fitted helmets, age-appropriate supervision, rider training, improved infrastructure, and safety regulations that reflect the risks associated with e-bikes.
Why Are E-Bike Injuries So Severe?
Although e-bikes may resemble traditional bicycles, their weight and speed can make an accident considerably more dangerous.
California recognizes three classes of e-bikes:
- Class 1 e-bikes: Provide motor assistance only while the rider is pedaling. The assistance stops when the bike reaches 20 miles per hour.
- Class 2 e-bikes: May use a throttle and do not require the rider to pedal. The motor assistance stops at 20 miles per hour.
- Class 3 e-bikes: Provide motor assistance only while the rider is pedaling. The assistance stops when the bike reaches 28 miles per hour.
At these speeds, the force generated in an accident may be more comparable to a motorcycle accident than a traditional bicycle accident. A rider may also have less time to react to a vehicle, pedestrian, road hazard, or sudden change in traffic.
The additional weight of an e-bike can make it more difficult to control, stop, or maneuver. When an accident occurs, riders may suffer serious injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Road rash and other serious skin injuries
E-Bike Injuries Among Children Are Increasing in San Diego
Data from Rady Children’s Health further illustrates the growing concern among young riders in San Diego:
- 2021: The health system reportedly treated only three e-bike injury cases.
- 2025: That number rose to 262 cases, making e-bikes the leading cause of injury among pediatric trauma visits that year.
- January through March 2026: Rady Children’s Health treated another 98 e-bike injury cases.
These figures show how quickly e-bike injuries have increased among local children and why parents should understand the risks before purchasing an e-bike for a young rider.
Why Are Young Riders Commonly Injured?
Young riders may not fully understand how quickly an e-bike can accelerate or how much distance is needed to stop safely. They may also have limited experience navigating traffic, anticipating the actions of drivers, and recognizing dangerous roadway conditions.
The UC San Diego study found that e-bike riders were more likely than traditional bicyclists to be involved in violations related to unsafe speeds and improper turns.
Other factors that may increase the risk of an accident include:
- Carrying passengers on an e-bike designed for one person
- Riding on sidewalks
- Failing to yield
- Using a phone while riding
- Operating an e-bike that is too powerful for the rider’s age or experience
Before purchasing an e-bike for a child, parents should review its class, maximum assisted speed, and age requirements. They should also determine whether the e-bike can be modified to exceed legal speed limits.
San Diego Responds With New E-Bike Regulations
The City of San Diego has approved the San Diego Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program, which is scheduled to take effect on August 13, 2026.
Under the ordinance:
- Children under 12 cannot operate Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes on public rights of way, parks, paths, trails, or other areas open to bicycle travel.
- California law already prohibits anyone under 16 from operating a Class 3 e-bike.
- Riders must comply with existing California helmet requirements.
- Passengers are prohibited unless the e-bike was specifically designed and manufactured to carry more than one person.
- A violation may result in a $25 fine. However, the fine may be waived if a parent or legal guardian provides proof that the child completed an approved e-bike safety and training program within 120 days.
Before citations can be issued, the city must conduct public outreach about the new rules. Officers will issue warnings during the first 60 days after the ordinance takes effect, giving families time to understand and comply with the regulations. Citations and $25 fines may begin after the warning period ends.
Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, La Mesa, Poway, San Marcos, and Santee have also adopted regulations prohibiting children under 12 from operating Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes. Some cities have additional rules involving sidewalks, parks, passengers, helmets, and possible e-bike impoundment.
Because local regulations vary, parents and riders should review the rules in every city where a child may operate an e-bike.
What Parents Should Know Before Buying an E-Bike
Parents should review the e-bike’s class, speed, and age requirements before purchasing one for a child. A properly fitted helmet, hands-on safety training, adult supervision, and an age-appropriate e-bike may help reduce the risk of serious injury. Parents should also discuss safe speeds, passengers, sidewalks, intersections, distracted riding, and local regulations.
Contact Our E-Bike Accident Attorneys at TORKLAW for a Free Consultation
If your child was injured in an e-bike accident caused by a negligent driver, a dangerous roadway condition, a defective e-bike, or another party’s wrongful conduct, you may have questions about your family’s legal rights.
Our experienced attorneys at TORKLAW can investigate what happened, identify potentially responsible parties, and explain the legal options that may be available.
Contact us today for a free consultation. There are no upfront legal fees, and you owe no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and the outcome of a claim depends on its specific facts and applicable law.
