FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A bike ride with friends nearly turned deadly for a Fresno teenager who was seriously injured in a collision on Audubon Drive near Friant Road. Thankfully, the 15-year-old boy is reportedly in stable condition.

“It’s a busy intersection, probably one of our busiest,” Fresno Police Traffic Sgt. Todd Turney.

Fresno Police say he and his two friends were riding their e-bikes traveling westbound on Audubon Drive. Police say the 15-year-old was in the roadway and made a sudden lane change. 

He was struck by a vehicle headed in the same direction. The teen suffered from serious head and upper body injuries.

“Driver remained on scene, was there to provide aid to the bicyclist,” Sgt. Turney shared. Turney says the investigation is ongoing. “If somebody is riding outside the bike lane, they could get a citation for it,” he added. 

Incidents like this have become local law enforcement’s new normal as the e-bike and e-motorcycle popularity grows. “There are many citations issued. Sometimes people end up running from the officers, and it creates a hazard for them, the officers, and other members of the public. And in many cases, the e-motorcycles are being impounded,” explained Clovis Cpl. Sean O’Brien.

If used properly and with experience, Devin Bovee, manager at Steven’s Bicycles in Fresno, says an electric bike can be easy to use and helps you get to your destination much faster. “It’s totally up to the parents. What I would say is, you know, guide them the best you can. Try to give them a regular bike first, go out, experience biking, and then get the electric bicycle. Or if you are going to start with an e-bike, you know, find some sort of training class or go around the neighborhood a little bit,” Bovee explained. 

Because this is relatively new, there’s not a lot of education out there. Monday night, at the Clovis City Council meeting, the Clovis Youth Commission and the police department will be partnering for the commission’s project on e-bikes and scooters. The Clovis Police Department says it will be providing resources and funding.

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