E-bike, e-scooter collisions on rise in Fresno, often with children getting hurt
The rise in electric bicycles and e-scooters hasn’t become just a nuisance for those annoyed from watching and hearing children zip down a street.
It’s become dangerous — even deadly in one case last week in Fresno — with the number of children sustaining injury from e-bike-related crashes increasing at an “alarming” rate in Fresno County, according to local health experts and law enforcement.
“In the United States, e-bike-related injuries rose 30 fold from 2017 to 2022; our numbers in the Valley have risen similarly,” said Dr. Carmela Sosa of Valley Children’s Hospital. “We want our children outside. We want them to be physically active. ...
“The increasing use of e-bikes and e-scooters brings safety challenges that we cannot ignore.”
At Valley Children’s Hospital, the number of e-bike and e-scooter-related injuries climbed from 11 in 2023 to 41 in 2025.
And in the first four months of 2026, the children’s hospital in Madera already has seen nearly as many e-bike-related injuries as it did throughout all of last year (22).
There were two high-profile collisions involving electronically motorized vehicles just last week in Fresno.
A 13-year-old was killed and a 12-year-old was critically injured after riding together on a motorized scooter that collided with a truck.
Two days later, a 14-year-old boy was seriously injured after crashing a miniature motorcycle into a car.
“Data shows that younger, inexperienced riders are at increased risk of injury,” Sosa said. “While some of these injuries have been minor, many have resulted in traumatic brain injury or multi-system trauma.”
Though folks must be at least 15 1/2 years old to apply for a driver’s permit in California, there legally are no age restrictions for many e-bikes and e-scooters, which have the capability of traveling as fast as 20 mph.
Those driving anything that can go 28 mph or faster, such as a Class 3 e-bike, must be at least 16 years old.
And all riders and passengers under 18 years old on e-bikes and e-scooters must wear a helmet under California law.
“What we’ve seen is many parents don’t always understand what they’re buying their kids — sometimes they’re buying full motorcycles that have been marketed like an e-bike,” said Clovis police sergeant Abby Padgett, who is a traffic supervisor. “So now, their kids are riding on vehicles that can go up to 60 mph and they’re smashing down the street or sidewalk. And that’s not street legal.
“You also have some of those who aren’t following the rules of the road. They’re popping wheelies.”
Safety concerns regarding motorized bikes, mopeds, skateboards and scooters on the Fresno State campus became such an issue, the university decided to ban such vehicles starting in the fall semester.
While riders of e-bikes and e-scooters can be issued a citation and could even have their electronic vehicle impounded in some cases, local law enforcement has more so emphasized educating and encouraging safety for those using such motorized vehicles.
Know and follow the rules of the road.
Wear a helmet.
And for parents, understand exactly what you’re buying and letting your children drive.
“Some people will say ‘Let the kids have their fun,’“ Padgett said. “Well, some of what they’re doing isn’t street legal.
“And it’s not fun when someone dies.”
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