A Los Angeles teenager is speaking out about the dangers of electric bicycles after suffering severe facial injuries in a crash last year. Raquel Waters, 14 at the time of the incident on August 26, 2025, narrowly survived the accident, which left her jaw wired shut and her head requiring staples. "Only thing I remember is waking up in the hospital, having my jaw wired shut," Waters said. "I had staples in the side of my head, my hair was like in a big rat's nest." Mothers of the girl’s friend stated that her daughter's life was likely saved by the helmet she was wearing. "She went flying over the handlebars at a really high speed, and if she wasn't wearing a helmet, she would've probably not made it," Andrea Rankin said.
Waters, now 15, said the experience has profoundly altered her perspective on e-bikes, stating she would "absolutely not" ride one again. The incident underscores a growing concern among medical professionals. Dr. Ryan Spurrier, director of surgery at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, reported a significant increase in e-bike-related injuries, projecting a 700% rise compared to figures from three years prior.
Spurrier described the injuries as potentially severe, ranging from traumatic brain injuries to liver lacerations and broken bones. He emphasized the role parents play in preventing such accidents, drawing a parallel: "The common sense dictates that if you wouldn't let your child ride a motorcycle, don't buy them an e-bike."
Authorities have also pointed to the risks e-bikes pose to pedestrians. In April, an 81-year-old man, Ed Ashman, died after being struck by an e-bike ridden by a 14-year-old in Lake Forest.
Aliza Nichols, founder of the nonprofit organization It NEEDS to END, which focuses on e-bike safety, identified a lack of experience as a primary factor in accidents. "These kids get them and assume they know what they're doing. But truthfully, they have no training on two wheels with a motor at all," Nichols stated. She advocates for emphasizing safe riding practices rather than outright bans on e-bikes.
As students return to school, some Los Angeles school districts have begun implementing mandatory safety training and requiring specialized helmets for e-bike riders, as standard bicycle helmets do not meet the necessary safety standards for motorized bicycles.