SANTA MARIA / ORCUTT, Calif. (KEYT) - A trauma surgeon in Santa Maria says brain injuries resulting from incidents with electric bikes are on the rise.
Wearing a helmet is the primary safety recommendation, but experts say there’s more to it.
Several new laws went into effect this year, but the rise in e-bike popularity is outpacing the adaptation of legislation.
At Marian Regional Medical Center’s Level II trauma center, Dr. Claire Collison says the increase of these injuries is tangible here on the Central Coast.
California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer Joshua Thomas says there was a surge in holiday purchases of e-bikes and electric motorcycles (e-motos) last year, right before the new laws went into effect.
He theorizes that many parents may have purchased what they thought were e-bikes when they were in fact e-motos.
Officer Thomas says to determine an e-bike’s legal classification, the key differences to be aware of are the presence of pedals, a bike’s speed capabilities and power capacity.
E-bikes have pedals and they max out between 25-30 miles per hour, while e-motos have no pedals and can reach highway speeds.
E-motos are strictly banned from sidewalks, and they require DMV licensing and registration.
Wearing helmets is required by law for kids under 18, but experts recommend wearing them for all ages when operating an e-bike or e-moto.
According to the new California laws, parents can be held liable and fined for their children’s infractions, such as using unlawful models or riding without a helmet.
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