By Justin Assioun and Romeo Ignacio
“I didn’t realize these bikes were so fast. Is my child going to be OK?”
This is a question we hear far too often in the emergency department at Rady Children’s Hospital. What first was a fun, eco-friendly way for kids to get around has become a growing public health concern. Electric bike injuries not only are becoming more frequent, they’re more severe. Compared to traditional bicycles, e-bike crashes result in significantly higher rates of head injuries, orthopedic fractures, hospital admissions, surgeries, and, tragically, life-altering injuries.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, e-bike use has exploded across San Diego. Once a novelty, these motorized bikes are now a staple in neighborhoods, school zones and along busy streets. Children and teens are riding models capable of speeds exceeding 30 mph, often without helmets, training or a full understanding of the risks.
In 2021, only three children came to Rady Children’s in San Diego with electric bike-related injuries. We expect to surpass 200 cases this year alone. These aren’t minor scrapes. We’re treating complex fractures and traumatic brain injuries, as well as facial and abdominal trauma.
These injuries are preventable. And prevention starts with awareness, education and smart policy.
At Rady Children’s, we’ve made e-bike safety a top priority. Through our Injury Prevention program, we’re working with families, pediatricians and policymakers to ensure safety keeps pace with popularity. One of our most impactful efforts is Ride Ready San Diego, a free online safety curriculum at ridereadysd.com. Designed for kids and teens, it uses interactive modules to teach safe riding habits, helmet use, traffic awareness and what to do in an emergency.
We’re also equipping pediatricians across the county with resources to discuss e-bike safety during routine visits. These conversations matter. When families hear directly from their doctor about the risks, they’re more likely to take precautions like wearing helmets or setting riding boundaries.
Policy plays a critical role too. We commend the leaders of Chula Vista, such as Councilmember Michael Inzunza, for becoming the first city in San Diego County to provide age restrictions on riding e-bikes on public property (12 years old) and safety measures to decrease pediatric e-bike injuries. This isn’t about punishment. It’s about protecting children who may not yet have the physical coordination or judgment to safely operate high-speed bikes.
We urge other municipalities to follow suit, while also ensuring that safety gear like helmets and lights are affordable and accessible. No child should ride unprotected simply because they can’t afford the right equipment.
E-bikes offer independence, mobility and a greener alternative to cars. But without urgent action, the human cost will continue to rise. As physicians, we don’t just see the statistics, we see the children behind them. We see the pain, the tears, their fears and what is often a long road to recovery. We see families forever changed.
San Diego could lead the nation in creating a balanced approach to e-bike safety — one that embraces innovation while safeguarding our children. Through education, community partnerships, and thoughtful legislation, we can make e-bikes safer for everyone.
Let’s not wait for another child to be hurt before we act. Let’s ensure that every ride ends with a safe return home.
Assioun is a pediatric emergency physician at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. Ignacio is a pediatric surgeon and the trauma medical director at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.
This article was originally published in the San Diego Union Tribune.
