A new report from researchers at the University of California, San Diego found a sharp rise in e-bike injuries with those 14 and younger disproportionately affected

E-bike injuries have increased “exponentially” in California, according to researchers from the University of California, San Diego.

The report, published in the Trauma Surgery and Acute Care Open last week, found e-bike injuries in California increased from just two reported collisions in 2018 to more than 1,500 in 2024.

The study’s findings show e-bike riders are younger, incur more severe injuries and are more often at fault compared to traditional cyclists.

“One of our most concerning findings was the disproportionately high number of injured children involved in e-bike crashes,” said John Austin, MD, general surgery resident and research fellow at UC San Diego School of Medicine and first author of the study. “E-bikes provide valuable transportation and recreational benefits, but their higher speeds can generate crash forces more comparable to motorcycles than traditional bicycles, leading to potentially severe injuries.”

The researchers analyzed data from the California Highway Patrol Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System over the 7-year period. The study included 4,035 e-bike collisions and 58,332 traditional bike collisions.

Based on the data, the researchers found e-bike riders were younger than traditional bicyclists, with a larger proportion of injured riders 14 years old and younger, and moderate-to-severe injuries were more common among e-bike riders than traditional bicyclists.

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E-bike riders were also more likely to be involved in unsafe speeds and improper turn violations, and e-bike collisions were more likely to occur in more affluent communities, according to the study.

“These vehicles are faster and heavier, with younger riders using e-bikes more frequently, reports of inconsistent helmet use, and increased deaths and injuries,” the study said.

The report also highlighted that e-bike sales are growing exponentially worldwide. In 2024, e-bikes were a $62 billion market and global sales are projected to reach $113 billion by 2030, per the study. Sales of e-bikes in the U.S. increased from 325,000 units in 2018 to 1.7 million in 2024, according to the report. 

“E-bikes are here to stay, and they provide substantial benefits to mobility and recreation,” said Jay Doucet, MD, voluntary clinical professor of surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine and professor of surgery at Florida State University at Lee Health. “However, our study found a dramatic increase in e-bike injuries across California, including a disproportionate number involving children and low rates of helmet use among injured riders.”

Researchers say the study’s findings highlight the need for improved rider education, helmet use, infrastructure and safety policies for e-bike riders. They also emphasize the importance of e-bike classification and labeling requirements to improve “enforcement and rais[e] parental and public awareness of e-bike speed capabilities.”

Future research will focus on linking traffic collision data with hospital and trauma records to better understand the specific injuries riders sustain and which prevention strategies are most effective. Researchers also hope to evaluate how emerging safety regulations and infrastructure improvements impact injury rates over time. 

What are the California e-bike laws?

According to the California Vehicle Code an e-bike is a “bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor that does not exceed 750 watts of power.” The state has three categories of e-bikes:

  • Class 1: e-bikes “provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling…[and] ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour”
  • Class 2: e-bikes “may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.”
  • Class 3: e-bikes “provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling…[and] ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour”

State law prevents cities from restricting e-bike riders’ access to places like bicycle paths or trails, bikeways and bicycle lanes. But local authorities can block access to e-bikes on some equestrian, hiking or recreational trails.

What are the L.A. city e-bike laws?

The city of L.A. follows California state e-bike laws, but also has a few of its own ordinances.

  • E-bikes are not allowed on a “sidewalk, bikeway or boardwalk in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”
  • E-bikes are not allowed “on Ocean Front Walk between Marine Street and Via Marina within the City of Los Angeles”
  • E-bikes with side-by-side seating or with a sidecar are not permitted on beach bike paths 

What are the L.A. County e-bike laws for unincorporated areas?

The Los Angeles County Consumer and Business Affairs office provides a list of basic operation rules for riders in unincorporated L.A. County

  • It is highly encouraged to wear a helmet.
  • Devices are to be ridden on streets, and where available, in bicycle lanes and bicycle paths
  • Riding on streets with a speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour is prohibited, unless you are in a bicycle lane
  • Riding on the sidewalk is strictly prohibited
  • E-scooters cannot exceed 15 miles per hour
  • Users may not carry additional passengers
  • Users shall ride responsibly
  • Users shall yield to pedestrians
  • Devices must be parked in the permitted areas only
  • When riding on-street, follow the rules of the road and all motor vehicle laws
  • Devices are not to be used for racing, “stunts”, or jumps