-Editorial
The Imperial County District Attorney’s Office has announced its full support for local, county, and state law enforcement efforts to enforce vehicle code violations committed by riders of e-bikes and e-motorcycles.
E-bikes and e-motorcycles have become an increasing source of traffic-related injuries and fatalities across California and around the globe, according to the American College of Surgeons. Imperial County is no exception, with a noticeable rise in accidents involving these vehicles.
“These vehicles can travel at accelerated speeds with minimal noise, making them particularly dangerous as they often fail to alert others to their presence,” wrote a spokesperson for the District Attorney’s Office in a press release. “Drivers of these vehicles are increasingly putting themselves and others in harm’s way.”
In response, law enforcement agencies will be citing violators and referring cases to the District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution when appropriate.
Over the past decade, electric bicycles (e-bikes) have seen a surge in popularity worldwide, particularly among children and adolescents. While they provide an economical and environmentally friendly mode of transportation, the rapid adoption of e-bikes has brought about serious safety concerns. According to the American College of Surgeons, e-bikes have become a growing source of road traffic-related injuries and fatalities. Their ability to achieve high speeds with minimal effort has contributed to an increase in accidents, with surgeons globally witnessing a troubling rise in e-bike-related trauma and deaths.
The regulation of e-bikes varies widely across the United States and globally, complicating efforts to enhance safety. In some municipalities, e-bikes are banned entirely, while in others, they are regulated as bicycles, mopeds, or motorized vehicles. In the U.S., e-bikes are categorized into three classes based on speed and functionality, but state laws differ significantly on age restrictions, helmet requirements, and licensing. The lack of consistent regulation has allowed loopholes, such as conversion kits that boost e-bike speeds to unsafe levels. Recent legislative efforts, such as California’s AB 1778, aim to tighten regulations, particularly for younger riders, following several high-profile fatalities involving adolescents.
The benefits of e-bikes—such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and cost-effective commuting—are undeniable, but they come with notable risks. Heavier batteries and higher speeds reduce reaction times and increase the likelihood of accidents. Advocacy groups, surgeons, and policymakers are calling for stronger safety measures, including mandatory helmet laws, public education campaigns, and stricter enforcement of speed regulations. As e-bike use continues to grow, a unified approach to addressing these challenges will be critical in ensuring their safe integration into transportation systems worldwide.
The United States has experienced two distinct periods of e-bike-related injuries. Initially, injuries and fatalities were more common among older riders who could afford early, expensive e-bike models but often lacked cycling experience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, e-bike sales surged as people turned to outdoor exercise options, further expanding the user base. More recently, as e-bikes became more affordable, their use among younger riders increased dramatically, resulting in a rise in pediatric injuries. Studies from trauma centers, such as MarinHealth Medical Center in California, have highlighted that e-bike injuries are more severe than traditional bicycle injuries, with a higher likelihood of hospital admissions, pelvic fractures, and fatalities.
Data from San Diego County trauma centers and statewide traffic records revealed a sharp increase in e-bike collisions, particularly due to unsafe speeds, a violation more common among e-bike riders than traditional bicyclists. Nationally, the severity of e-bike injuries has been shown to surpass that of bicycle injuries, with a higher prevalence of head trauma and fatalities. In urban areas like New York City, where e-bike delivery services and city rentals are popular, e-bike-related deaths reached record highs in 2023. Additional hazards include lithium-ion battery fires, which caused hundreds of injuries and fatalities nationwide in the same year, prompting some jurisdictions to ban e-bikes in pedestrian-heavy zones.
