E-Bike Injuries on the Rise Across Orange County.

E-Bike Injuries on the Rise Across Orange County, Doctors Warn

E-bike injuries are no longer just a coastal concern in Orange County. Doctors at the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) report a significant increase in e-bike accidents across the County, with the highest numbers now seen in cities like Huntington Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, Orange, and Newport Beach.

From 2019 to 2024, e-bike injuries in children at CHOC skyrocketed from just 7 cases in 2019 to 116 in 2024. The rise in incidents particularly concerns teens, with the most common age group affected being 14-16 year olds. Many of these injuries involve serious head trauma, skull fractures, and internal organ injuries, often linked to speed, lack of helmets, and the shift from manual pedaling to electric-powered bikes.

Dr. Laura Goodman, trauma medical director at CHOC, expressed the difficulty in informing parents that e-bikes, seen as a solution for teenage mobility, may also pose significant safety risks. "It’s devastating for families to see their children suffer lifelong injuries from what they thought was a harmless way to get around," she said.

As e-bikes grow in popularity, especially among teens, doctors urge parents to take precautions, including ensuring helmets are worn and safety guidelines are followed.