E-bikes have become increasingly popular throughout Orange County. Riders use them to commute, exercise, get around their neighborhoods, and travel to school and other destinations. With the growing popularity of e-bikes, there has also been increased attention on the injuries that can occur when riders crash.
Research suggests that e-bike crashes can result in different injury patterns and, in some circumstances, more serious injuries than traditional bicycle crashes. However, the research does not show that every e-bike crash is more severe than every conventional bicycle crash. The circumstances of each collision matter.
For riders and families in Orange County, understanding the differences between e-bike and traditional bicycle crashes can help explain why certain accidents may result in serious injuries.
E-Bikes Can Reach Higher Speeds
One of the primary differences between many e-bikes and traditional bicycles is speed.
Electric assistance allows an e-bike rider to travel faster with less physical effort than riding a conventional bicycle. California law divides e-bikes into three classes based on their motor assistance and maximum assisted speed. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes provide assistance up to 20 miles per hour, while Class 3 e-bikes provide assistance up to 28 miles per hour. California law also establishes requirements for the operation of these different classes.
Higher speeds can affect what happens when a rider loses control or collides with another person, vehicle, object, or roadway feature. A rider traveling faster has less time to react to an unexpected hazard. A higher-speed impact can also expose the rider to greater forces during a collision.
Speed is not the only factor that determines injury severity. The type of collision, the rider’s position, the surface involved, whether another vehicle was involved, and whether the rider was wearing protective equipment can all affect the outcome.
E-Bike Injuries Are A Growing Concern In Orange County
The increase in e-bike use has become particularly relevant in Orange County.
Children’s Hospital of Orange County, or CHOC, reported a significant increase in pediatric e-bike injuries treated at its Orange County emergency department. CHOC reported treating 201 children for e-bike injuries in 2025, compared with one child in 2021. Reported injuries included concussions, fractures, skull fractures, and facial fractures.
That increase does not mean every e-bike rider is likely to suffer a serious injury. It does show why e-bike safety has become an important concern for Orange County families, particularly as more young people use e-bikes.
The Orange County Transportation Authority has also developed an E-Bike Safety Action Plan addressing education, enforcement, infrastructure, data collection, and other safety issues associated with the increasing use of e-bikes.
Research Shows Differences Between E-Bike And Bicycle Injuries
Recent research provides additional insight into the differences between e-bike and traditional bicycle crashes.
A 2026 study published in JAMA Surgery examined California traffic collision data from 2018 through 2024. Researchers identified 4,035 e-bike collisions and 58,332 conventional bicycle collisions in the state’s traffic records.
The study found that moderate-to-severe injuries occurred in approximately 15.8% of e-bike collisions compared with 11.9% of conventional bicycle collisions. The researchers also found that e-bike collisions increased substantially during the study period.
These findings are important, but they should be interpreted carefully. The study does not mean that an e-bike crash will automatically result in a more serious injury than a traditional bicycle crash. It shows that, within the data studied, moderate-to-severe injuries occurred at a higher rate among e-bike collisions.
Other research has produced more mixed findings.
A 2026 study of adult trauma patients found no statistically significant difference in overall injury severity between e-bike and conventional bicycle injuries in that particular group. The researchers noted that additional research is needed.
Looking at multiple studies is important because injury risk is influenced by many factors. The type of bicycle is only one part of the picture.
Head Injuries Can Be Particularly Serious
A rider can be thrown from an e-bike during a collision, causing the head to strike the ground, another vehicle, or an object.
Traumatic brain injuries can range from concussions to severe brain injuries. Some symptoms may appear immediately, while others may develop later.
Research involving younger riders has found concerning differences in traumatic brain injury rates. One recent study examining riders between ages 10 and 25 reported traumatic brain injuries in 37.8% of e-bike patients compared with 19.4% of conventional bicycle patients in its study population.
The specific circumstances of that study are important, and its results should not be interpreted as meaning that 37.8% of all young e-bike riders will suffer a traumatic brain injury after a crash.
Still, the findings reinforce why head injuries should be taken seriously following an e-bike collision.
E-Bike Crashes Can Involve More Than One Vehicle
Not every e-bike injury occurs because a rider loses control.
Some of the most serious crashes involve a motor vehicle.
A driver may fail to see an e-bike rider at an intersection, turn across the rider’s path, fail to yield, change lanes without checking for a bicyclist, or otherwise drive negligently.
When a motor vehicle strikes an e-bike, the rider has substantially less physical protection than the person inside the vehicle.
The resulting injuries can include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Skull and facial fractures
- Broken arms or legs
- Shoulder injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Road rash
- Catastrophic injuries
A crash involving a vehicle can also raise important questions about insurance coverage and liability.
E-Bike Weight Can Also Matter
E-bikes are generally heavier than traditional bicycles because they contain a motor, battery, and other electrical components.
The additional weight can affect how an e-bike handles, accelerates, and stops. It can also affect the dynamics of a fall or collision.
This does not mean that an e-bike’s weight alone causes more severe injuries. Rather, speed, weight, rider experience, roadway conditions, and the circumstances of the collision can interact in ways that affect the outcome.
Helmets Are An Important Safety Measure
Wearing a properly fitted helmet is an important safety precaution for bicyclists and e-bike riders.
A helmet cannot prevent every head injury, and wearing one does not eliminate the risk of a traumatic brain injury. However, appropriate protective equipment can provide an important layer of protection in a crash.
California also has specific helmet requirements for certain riders and e-bike users. Riders should understand the requirements that apply to their age, e-bike classification, and circumstances.
Parents should also talk with young riders about helmets, traffic laws, speed, intersections, and the importance of remaining alert while riding.
What Should You Do After An E-Bike Accident?
If you are involved in an e-bike accident, seek medical attention when necessary. This is particularly important if you hit your head, lost consciousness, experienced significant pain, or develop symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, vomiting, severe headache, or unusual behavior.
When it is safe to do so, document the scene.
Consider taking photographs of:
- The e-bike
- Any involved vehicles
- Roadway conditions
- Traffic signs and signals
- The location of the collision
- Visible injuries
- Damage to property
If another vehicle was involved, obtain the driver’s information and insurance information when possible. Witness contact information can also be valuable.
Keep copies of medical records, bills, photographs, police reports, insurance correspondence, and other documentation related to the accident.
Do not assume that an injury is minor simply because you initially feel okay. Some injuries, particularly certain traumatic brain injuries, may not be immediately obvious.
Determining Responsibility After An E-Bike Crash
An e-bike accident can involve complicated questions about responsibility.
Depending on the circumstances, a driver may be responsible if their negligence caused the collision. Examples can include distracted driving, speeding, failing to yield, unsafe lane changes, or other violations of the rules of the road.
In other situations, roadway conditions, defective equipment, another bicyclist, or the rider’s own actions may be relevant.
California follows a comparative negligence system. This means that the circumstances and conduct of each party can be considered when determining responsibility and damages.
That is why the details of the accident matter.
A police report or insurance company’s initial assessment does not necessarily tell the complete story. Evidence such as traffic camera footage, surveillance video, photographs, witness statements, vehicle damage, medical records, and accident reconstruction information may help establish what happened.
Serious E-Bike Injuries Deserve Serious Attention
E-bikes provide an increasingly common way for people to travel throughout Orange County. At the same time, research has identified differences in injury patterns between e-bike and traditional bicycle crashes, including evidence that moderate-to-severe injuries may occur more frequently in certain e-bike crash populations.
The research is still developing, and the severity of any individual accident depends on the circumstances.
What is clear is that an e-bike rider has limited physical protection when a crash occurs. A collision can result in significant injuries, particularly when another vehicle is involved.
If you or someone you love has suffered an injury in an e-bike accident, understanding what caused the crash and preserving evidence can be important.
Fielding Law represents individuals and families throughout California and Arizona in personal injury cases involving negligence-based and intentional acts. Our clients are people, not case numbers, and each case deserves individualized attention.
Injured In An E-Bike Accident?
You do not have to figure out what comes next on your own. If you or a loved one suffered an injury in an e-bike accident in Orange County, Fielding Law can help you understand your rights and potential legal options.
Contact Fielding Law online or call 833.88.SHARK today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our team—available 24/7.
Fielding Law, APC – Irvine, CA Office
505 Technology Dr Ste 250
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 288-5484
Fielding Law, APC – Phoenix, AZ Office
2 N Central Ave Ste 1800
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(859) 578-4444
Note: Information provided is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney for legal concerns.
