During a community outreach visit to Marian Regional Medical Center earlier this school year, the Orcutt Union School District’s management team learned something surprising: Injuries caused by e-bikes, e-motorcycles, and other powered mobility devices are among the leading causes of cases in the hospital’s trauma care unit.

            “(E-bikes and similar devices) travel very fast and are very heavy, so the injuries we are seeing are significant,” says Bette Jenkins, a 23-year Marian nursing veteran who now serves as the hospital’s trauma program manager. “They are affecting everyone, kids and adults.”

Data compiled by Jenkins’ unit shows 63 incidents involving e-bikes or e-scooters presenting to the hospital in 2025, with 73% of victims not wearing a helmet, 35% needing to be admitted for further treatment, and 21% under the age of 16. So far this year, Marian has fielded 20 incidents, with 80% of victims not wearing a helmet, 40% admitted, and 25% under 16. Other hospitals are seeing similar trends. National studies demonstrate a significant increase in pediatric e-bike accidents in recent years and a higher rate of hospitalization compared to those resulting for traditional bicycles.

          Why are e-bikes and similar devices becoming a public safety issue? They accelerate quickly, have top speeds of over 30 miles per hour and higher, and operate quietly – meaning they can go unnoticed by pedestrians or drivers. Some e-motorcycles, known as e-motos, are not street-legal, and it can be difficult to differentiate between an e-bike and an e-moto. In either case, young people who ride these powered devices often are unaccustomed to their speed relative to the speed of traditional bicycles.

           “With e-bikes and these devices, the kids don’t realize how much farther ahead them have to plan because of how fast they are going,” says Jenkins. “That leads to accidents.”

Recognizing these trends, our school district is adopting a new board policy on e-bikes and powered mobility devices. OUSD Board Policy 5142.1 strictly prohibits elementary and junior high school students from possessing or operating e-bikes or other powered mobility devices on or on the periphery of school property. High school students may possess an e-bike on campus, but must walk them on and off campus and park them in a designated location. No one may ride e-bikes on school grounds during or after school hours.

          “By enacting this board policy, we are establishing a clear, proactive boundary that protects our elementary and middle schoolers from high-speed transit risks while recognizing that our high school students possess the maturity and licensing potential to navigate these vehicles responsibly,” says Sandy Knight, the district’s assistant superintendent of business services and the point person in developing the new policy. “This is not about restricting independence; it is a necessary, protective measure designed to prevent tragedies, align with California’s evolving vehicle safety standards, and ensure a secure environment for all pedestrians and riders across our district.” 

          This column is part of our effort to communicate the new policy to our parents and community. We will be messaging to parents via our Parent Square school-home communication system as well as the Annual Notice to Parents that everyone sees at the start of a new school year. We also are working on signs for our schools that state the policy for those visiting after hours and on weekends.

         We will be reminding parents about their integral role in their children’s safety. California laws require minors under 18 to wear helmets when riding both traditional bicycles and e-bikes. Parents need to talk to their children about helmet laws, following the rules of the road, and being safe.

           In the end, we believe everyone’s interest is in safety. No one wants to see anyone, children or adults, hurt in accidents caused by e-bikes or other motorized devices, and our new district policy advances that cause.

          “I commend Orcutt for taking this on,” says Jenkins. “We have kids who are not wearing helmets and think they are invincible. Unfortunately, that is how accidents happen.”