Riverside County residents are facing a marked rise in injuries tied to electric bicycles and similar vehicles, county health officials said, increasing pressure on emergency departments and prompting renewed safety warnings for families.
The Riverside University Health System (RUHS) reported 224 e‑bike crashes in 2023, 494 in 2024 and 958 in 2025 — a roughly 320% increase over the three‑year span. So far in 2026, RUHS has documented 416 crashes.
Who is being hurt
RUHS data identifies young people as the most affected group. Emergency visits for ages 10 to 14 more than doubled from 155 in 2024 to 339 in 2025. Visits among 15‑ to 24‑year‑olds rose from 122 to 248 over the same period.
“We're hearing about concussions, of course, but also more serious head injuries potentially, especially if not wearing a helmet,”
The comment was attributed to Dr. Bradly Jacoby, chief of pediatrics at Kaiser Permanente Riverside County, who warned that head trauma from e‑bike crashes can be severe.
Fatalities and medical impact
RUHS reported one e‑bike related death in 2024 and two deaths in 2025. The surge in crashes has resulted in more visits to emergency departments across the county, stretching resources and raising concerns among health providers.
| Year | Reported e‑bike crashes |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 224 |
| 2024 | 494 |
| 2025 | 958 |
| 2026 (year‑to‑date) | 416 |
What residents should do
Health officials and pediatricians are urging parents, guardians and riders themselves to take concrete precautions to reduce risk.
- Ensure children wear properly certified and fastened helmets.
- Use bright or reflective clothing and consider elbow and knee protection.
- Follow traffic laws: stop at stop signs, obey signals and yield right‑of‑way.
- Limit speed and avoid risky maneuvers such as weaving between cars or performing stunts.
- Consider safety courses for young riders before allowing unsupervised riding.
Local hospitals and clinics have reported seeing concussions and more serious head injuries tied to these crashes. Dr. Jacoby emphasized the potential severity:
“These injuries can be extremely serious.”
Officials did not provide a breakdown of crash locations within the county. RUHS and Kaiser Permanente are among the agencies tracking the trend and advising residents on prevention. Families with young riders should review equipment and riding habits immediately to lower the risk of injury.
