Fast-Growing E-Bike Trend, Rising Injuries: How Rady Children’s Is Protecting Young Riders
For many kids, an e-bike is high on the wish list. But as demand for these motorized bicycles grows—some capable of reaching speeds up to 28 miles per hour—so does the number of injuries among young riders. Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego is taking action to reduce these injuries through education and advocacy at both local and state levels.
Physicians and injury prevention specialists are working to educate families about e-bike safety while lobbying lawmakers in Sacramento for stronger regulations.
“In the past year alone, we’ve had four bills passed,” says Romeo Ignacio, MD, Medical Director at Rady Children’s Trauma Center and professor of clinical surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Dr. Ignacio testified before the state Legislature, sharing firsthand experience treating e-bike-related injuries and emphasizing the need for tighter safety measures.
One recent bill allows San Diego County and cities within it to prohibit children under 12 from riding Class 1 (pedal-assisted, up to 20 mph) or Class 2 (pedal- and throttle-assisted, up to 20 mph) e-bikes. A similar measure passed in Marin County. While these steps are promising, Dr. Ignacio believes more can be done, including strengthening helmet laws and creating consistent statewide regulations.
“We want to provide safer opportunities for children,” he explains. “Compared to traditional bikes, e-bikes cause much more severe injuries because of the kinetic energy involved. Parents often tell me they didn’t realize how fast these bikes go. Twenty or 28 mph might not sound fast in a car, but on a bike, it’s a different story.”
Beyond legislation, Rady Children’s is focused on education. The hospital’s injury prevention team has developed an e-bike safety online training course for parents and riders, covering rules of the road and practical safety tips—such as staying in bike lanes, wearing helmets at all times, avoiding distractions, and never using phones while riding.
The urgency is clear:
“This past year, we’ve had 168 trauma activations related to e-bike injuries,” says Dr. Ignacio. “The numbers have climbed steadily over the last five years, and the injuries are increasingly severe. I’m not anti e-bike—that’s not the message. Kids want to have fun, and e-bikes are fun. We just want them to be safe.”