Published in cooperation between RedHead Digital Agency and the Press Banner.
When you walked, drove, or biked around California over the past couple of years, there is a high chance that you have seen electric bikes everywhere. They are climbing hills at lightning speed in San Francisco. They are skating along the boardwalk of Venice Beach, and they are cutting through traffic in downtown L.A. They are cheap, convenient and an environmentally friendly option to cars. But behind that convenience is an increasing public safety problem. The number of accidents on e-bikes is increasing rapidly. The policymakers are trying to solve that situation somehow. So, what is happening on the ground in California? Why are e-bike risks increasing?
The E-Bike Boom
E-bikes are everywhere now. They make it easier to commute without breaking a sweat, especially through hilly cities. However, people may underestimate how different they are from traditional bicycles. According to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) data in California, incidents of e-bike crashes have increased more than 18 times in just five years, rising from approximately 184 cases in 2018 to 3,429 incidents in 2023. Such crashes are also more serious than those of ordinary bikes due to the increased speed and weight that e-bikes have. National trends mirror the state’s. Hospital reports show e-bike injuries increasing sharply over recent years as the devices gain popularity across the United States
What Riders Can Do Now
While policymakers catch up, riders do not have to wait to ride smarter:
- Wear a helmet—always. Even if local laws do not require it, protection matters.
- Know your class. California law distinguishes e-bike classes and age requirements. Understand which one you are riding.
- Ride predictably. Slower speeds in traffic, signaling turns and obeying laws go a long way.
- Stay visible. Lights, reflectors and bright gear help drivers see you.
- Have a bicycle accident lawyer to contact. On this website, you can find a professional one.
Safe riding culture starts with individuals. Over time, that culture shapes policy too.
Why the Invisible Rider Problem Is Growing
So, what is behind this rapid rise in e-bike accidents? It is a mix of visibility, speed, infrastructure and policy gaps.
1. Speed and Confidence
E-bikes regularly reach 20-30 mph. Nevertheless, their riders tend to use them as slow bicycles. Without training or respect for that power, crashes can happen quickly and with serious consequences.
2. Riders Are Everywhere
The number of children and adolescents riding e-bikes without a helmet or proper training is increasing. A leap in injuries among youth e-bike users are reported in emergency departments. This has been more so among the riders who are below 18.
3. Poor Infrastructure
California roads and bike trails were constructed long before the introduction of the e-bike. Narrow lanes, lack of bike infrastructure and traffic intersections confuse and put all riders at risk.
4. Data Gaps Make the Problem Invisible
Part of what makes this a tricky policy issue is that accidents are not always clearly tracked. E-bike injuries tend to be lumped with the general bicycle or micromobility statistics. This complicates the ability to comprehend trends and make specific solutions. That is why many riders feel invisible to drivers on the road.
The Human Side of the Numbers
There are actual rides behind the statistics, and they do not turn out to be pretty. Californian emergency room stories talk about an individual being thrown off an e-bike at an extraordinary velocity or a young rider who received serious harm due to the crash that possibly would not have occurred when riding a conventional, slower bike. Naturally, e-bikes will help make commuting affordable and enjoyable. Nevertheless, their burden when all goes wrong frequently results in more serious injuries as compared to a fall on an ordinary pedal bike.
How Local Governments Are Responding
California communities are now beginning to take this seriously in different ways.
Safety Enforcement and Education
Placer County has intensified its crackdown on the implementation of the current e-bike classifications in its jurisdiction, as well as educating riders on safety. When e-bikes are used recklessly in Riverside County, even the prosecutors are threatening the families with legal liability.
Age and Usage Restrictions
Some areas have discussed or implemented restrictions on younger riders and helmet rules to address child safety concerns.
Public Health Advisories
Local health departments are starting to put out safety advisories and data dashboards to help residents understand the rise in e-bike crashes and how to prevent them.
What Local Policy Could Look Like
There is no single fix. A combination of policy initiatives can be used to make the usage of e-bikes safe and promote the use of cleaner means of transport.
Clear Regulations and Classification
Restructuring the legal definitions to reflect the current manner in which e-bikes are utilized will assist the law enforcers as well as the riders in determining what is legal and safe.
Rider Training and Licensing Considerations
Some policymakers and safety advocates argue for basic training or knowledge tests. This is especially relevant for younger riders. These requirements could reduce risky behavior overall.
Infrastructure Investments
Additional secure bike lanes, additional clear signage and improved intersections work to the advantage of all riders. Many cities that invest in micromobility infrastructure experience a decrease in accidents since there is no loss of space, and safety is created.
Helmet and Safety Gear Policies
Strict helmet regulations or motivation on safety equipment would reduce serious injuries. At the moment, California needs the use of helmets among certain riders, but not always in terms of all e-bike types.
Balancing Benefits and Risks
E-bikes are not a bad thing per se. They are able to decrease vehicle traffic, enhance the availability of transit and offer a healthy way of moving about town. Nevertheless, infrastructure, culture and policy surrounding them are significant. The latter is particularly accurate when they are moving faster and heavier in comparison to a normal bike.
The communities with a proper balance between safety and accessibility will not only minimize the crashes. They also will make streets safer and safer and enjoyable to all, not just four-wheelers but two-wheelers as well.
Looking Ahead
The invisible rider problem in California might not be reflected in statistics. Nevertheless, it is becoming more apparent on the roads, in emergency rooms and around kitchen tables following a life-threatening moment. All policymakers, riders and communities participate in ensuring that micromobility is also safer for all.
