E-Bike and E-Scooter Injuries in Riverside County

How serious the problem is locally

Emergency visits	Emergency room visits for e-bike crashes in Riverside County: 224 in 2023, 494 in 2024 and 958 in 2025 (RUHS, July 9, 2026). [source]
2026 so far	At least 416 e-bike incidents had been reported in the county in 2026 as of July 9, 2026. [source]
Deaths	An e-bike was involved in at least one death in 2024 and two in 2025, according to Riverside County Coroner death certificates. [source]
Typical injuries	RUHS emergency physicians report blunt head trauma, rib fractures, collapsed lungs and lacerations, particularly among teens and young adults. [source]
Who is hurt	Riders aged 10 to 24 are the most likely to be involved in e-bike crashes. [source]

What counts as an e-bike

An electric bicycle has working pedals and a motor of no more than 750 watts (Vehicle Code § 312.5). The class decides where it may be ridden and who may ride it:

Class	How the motor works	Assist stops at
Class 1	Assists only while pedaling	20 mph
Class 2	Throttle can propel the bike	20 mph
Class 3	Assists only while pedaling; has a speedometer	28 mph

A vehicle modified to exceed 20 mph on motor power alone or 750 watts, or with its pedals removed, is not an e-bike under the same section. Temecula's code adds that An e-bike with a motor rated above 750 watts is treated as a motor vehicle under the Vehicle Code. [source] and the City warns: Temecula warns that e-motorcycles (no working pedals, 750 watts or more) are not allowed on streets without a motorcycle-endorsed license, insurance and registration. [source]

Helmet and age rules

Every rider under 18 on a bicycle, e-bike, scooter or skateboard must wear a fitted, fastened helmet (Vehicle Code § 21212).
No one under 16 may operate a Class 3 e-bike, and every Class 3 rider and passenger must wear a helmet (Vehicle Code § 21213).
Motorized scooter riders need a driver's license or permit, may not carry passengers or ride on sidewalks, and riders under 18 must wear helmets (Vehicle Code § 21235).

Local sidewalk and trail rules

State law lets local agencies ban e-bikes on equestrian, hiking and recreational trails (Vehicle Code § 21207.5). The County of Riverside did so in Ordinance No. 995:

Adopted	Adopted May 20, 2025; effective June 18, 2025. [source]
Scope	Regulates e-bikes on sidewalks and trails on County property; the Riverside County Sheriff's Department enforces it. [source]
Class 2 on sidewalks	No Class 2 e-bike riding on sidewalks in business districts, on bridge sidewalks, in pedestrian underpasses or overpasses, or on sidewalks next to a school building. [source]
Riding on a sidewalk	E-bike riders on a sidewalk must ride with due care, yield to pedestrians, signal before passing, and yield to all traffic when entering a roadway or driveway. [source]
Class 3 and mopeds	Class 3 e-bikes, mopeds, motorized bicycles and motor-driven cycles are banned from all sidewalks and trails unless signs allow them. [source]
Equestrian trails	All e-bikes, mopeds and motor-driven cycles are banned on equestrian trails in the County and on any trail in a Wine Country - Equestrian District. [source]
Fines	Infraction fines of up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second and $500 for a third within one year. [source]

Cities set their own rules. In Temecula:

Class 3	Class 3 e-bikes may not be ridden on any sidewalk or trail in Temecula. [source]
City parks	Only bicycles (not e-bikes) may be ridden inside Temecula city parks. [source]
Parents	The City reminds parents that they are held liable for their child's actions on an e-bike. [source]

When an e-bike or scooter rider is hurt

Drivers owe riders the same care as anyone else on the road (Civil Code § 1714). Common claims involve right hooks, left turns across a bike lane, doors opened into a rider and drivers pulling out of driveways. Helmet use, speed and whether the device was legal where it was ridden are often raised to reduce a rider's recovery under comparative fault (CACI No. 405); their weight depends on the facts and the medical evidence.

When a pedestrian is hit by an e-bike

Riders owe pedestrians ordinary care too, and the County ordinance requires riders on sidewalks to yield to pedestrians. If the rider is a minor, the parents' homeowner's or renter's insurance may be a source of coverage. Scooter sellers must warn buyers that ordinary insurance may not cover scooter accidents (Vehicle Code § 407.5), so check every possible policy.

See also our pedestrian accident page. Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years (CCP § 335.1).

Every fact on this page links to the official source it came from. We checked each one in September 2026. Agencies change fees and procedures, so confirm with the agency before you go. How we research.

Common questions

Can a 14-year-old ride an e-bike in Riverside County?

A 14-year-old may ride a Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike with a helmet (Vehicle Code § 21212), but not a Class 3 e-bike (Vehicle Code § 21213). Local sidewalk and trail rules still apply.

Are e-bikes allowed on sidewalks in unincorporated Riverside County?

County Ordinance 995 allows Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on some sidewalks and trails with limits, bans Class 3 e-bikes from all sidewalks and trails unless signs allow them, and bans all e-bikes on equestrian trails.

Does a missing helmet stop an injured rider from recovering?

No. It may be argued as comparative fault, which can reduce, not eliminate, a recovery, and only if the missing helmet actually made the injuries worse (CACI No. 405).

My child was hurt on an e-bike. How long do we have?

Deadlines can work differently for minors, but a claim against a public entity is still generally due within six months (Gov. Code § 911.2). Confirm the timing early.

E-bike and e-scooter injuries in Riverside County