Doctors at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) are raising concerns over the rising number of e-bike-related injuries among children, warning that these incidents are no longer confined to coastal areas but are now a countywide issue.
According to Dr. Laura Goodman, CHOC’s trauma medical director, the top five cities reporting the highest number of e-bike injuries are Huntington Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, Orange, and Newport Beach. The hospital has seen a staggering increase in cases, with e-bike injuries among children jumping from just seven in 2019 to 116 in 2024.
The e-bike injuries range from fractures and organ damage to severe head trauma. In just the past two weeks, Dr. Goodman reported performing emergency neurosurgeries on two teens to remove bleeding in their brains caused by serious e-bike crashes.
Data from 2019 to 2024 at CHOC shows that teenagers aged 14 to 16 make up the largest group of e-bike injury patients (111 cases), followed by ages 11 to 13 (73 cases), and 7 to 10 (15 cases). Studies indicate that e-bike crashes lead to more severe injuries than traditional bicycles, often due to the higher speeds and lack of helmet use among young riders.
The most common injuries from e-bike accidents include skull and facial fractures, concussions, shattered spleens, and internal organ damage. Nationwide studies have also shown that e-bike crashes are more likely to result in hospitalization, internal injuries, and concussions compared to traditional bike accidents.
Dr. Goodman emphasized the need for increased safety measures, stating that parents frequently ask whether they should buy their children e-bikes. While she avoids outright discouraging them, she stresses the importance of helmet use, speed awareness, and safety precautions to prevent life-altering injuries.
So far in 2025, CHOC has already treated nearly 40 cases of e-bike-related injuries, highlighting the growing public safety concern as these electric-powered bikes become increasingly popular among young riders.
