The Rise Of E-bike Accidents In California: What Riders Need To Know About Liability

CALIFORNIA—The promises of e-bikes include affordable transportation, reduced road congestion, and eco-friendly commutes. While it’s easy to get behind e-bikes in theory, the reality is that these bikes have caused devastation on California roads. Sadly, e-bike accidents and injuries are soaring just a decade after these vehicles became popular. Here’s what riders need to know.

The Hidden Danger of One of California’s Popular Transportation Methods

“Electric scooter and bike accidents are soaring across the U.S.,” according to researchers at University of California San Francisco. In fact, e-bike injuries doubled every year between 2017 and 2022. The same research also shows that injured e-riders were generally less likely to wear helmets compared to regular riders. While accidents and injuries are on the rise all over the country, e-bike riders in California are especially at risk. In recent years, California communities have suffered tremendous tragedies stemming from e-bike collisions.

Where Are the Accidents Happening?

Orange County is one of the California communities seeing the biggest impact from e-bike accidents. The problem is so widespread that doctors at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) have spoken out about the increase in trauma victims being rushed to the emergency room. Doctors report that e-bike injuries in children at CHOC rose from just seven in 2019 to 116 in 2024. When speaking to ABC 7, Dr. Laura Goodman of CHOC shared that she’s seen multiple teens go through emergency neurosurgery as a result of e-bike accidents.

Reporting from the San Francisco Gate shows that Santa Barbara is also seeing a giant increase in e-bike accidents. Based on data acquired by the city over a three-year span, the number of e-bike collisions reported annually jumped from 10 in 2022 to 107 in 2024. Of the 107 collisions that took place in 2024, the e-rider was at fault 69 times.

Meanwhile, Marin County has seen such a large increase in e-bike accidents resulting in 911 calls that officials have initiated new protocols for emergency services. In 2023, Marin County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) began distinguishing e-bike related 911 responses from conventional bike accidents for data-collection purposes. The first month of data alone found that the rate of e-bike accidents for riders between ages 10 and 19 was nearly 10 times higher compared to residents over age 20. This has prompted the Marin County Public Health Department to issue a Public Health Advisory on e-bike safety for local healthcare providers.

Are Riders Liable?

It’s important to know that e-bike riders are held liable for accidents that occur due to their negligence. Under California law, an e-bike rider may be found to be partially liable if their actions contributed to the cause of an accident. This includes things like reckless riding, violating traffic and pedestrian laws, or causing injury to property and people. While factors like motorist activity and road conditions can be factored into the equation when determining fault, it’s very likely that a rider who causes an accident will be legally and financially responsible for damages.

Making Sense of the Data: How Can We Make the Roads Safer for Riders?

There’s no question that e-bike accidents are on the rise throughout California. However, younger riders under the age of 19 appear to be at higher risk for collisions. This means that parents must do more to educate and monitor children who are provided with e-bikes for transportation. In addition to making sure all riders are familiar with local traffic laws, it’s also important to drive home the fact that wearing a helmet is every bit as important for e-bike riders as it is for ordinary bike riders.