Editor’s note: This story is part of the annual Mosaic Journalism Program for Bay Area high school students, an intensive course in journalism. Students in the program report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.
As Santa Clara County officials increase efforts to address electric bicycle safety, some riders and trail users say authorities aren’t enforcing existing regulations. The concern comes as California and local agencies continue responding to the growing popularity of high-powered electric bikes and electric motorcycles, including models such as Sur-Rons and Talarias.
Under California law, e-bikes are limited by speed and motor power, while more powerful two-wheel vehicles may require registration and licensing and fall under other motorcycle regulations.
In May, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office announced the return of its juvenile traffic diversion program, which allows eligible youth cited for bicycle and e-bike violations to attend a safety course instead of paying fines. The program comes amid rising concerns about injuries involving young riders.
A July 2024 study by researchers at UC San Francisco found that injuries related to electric bikes and scooters have risen sharply in the United States over the past decade. According to the study, e-bike injuries increased by nearly 3,000% from 2017 through 2022, while hospitalizations from e-bike crashes increased by more than 4,900%.
Researchers found that riders injured on e-bikes were more likely to suffer internal injuries and require hospitalization than riders injured on traditional bicycles. The study’s authors said the findings highlight the need for improved safety measures as electric bikes become more common.
Since 2022, 19 fatal bicycle crashes have occurred in San Jose, three of which involved electric bicycles.
In September 2022, Ruben Razo Jr. was killed while riding an e-bike on Murphy Avenue after being rear-ended by a Lexus sedan, according to police.
In December 2025, a man riding an electric bicycle was fatally struck by a Lexus sedan at North First Street and East Brokaw Road.
In March 2026, 13-year-old Khang Bui died after losing control of a Magnum Cosmo e-bicycle while riding north on Remington Way with a passenger. Police said the bike skidded to the ground.
To prevent future fatalities, the sheriff’s office is prioritizing e-bike safety.
“Our deputies don’t want to penalize kids, we want to keep them safe,” Sgt. Alan Slaugh, who oversees the sheriff’s office traffic unit, said in a May news release. “This program allows us to hold young riders accountable while giving families the tools to prevent serious injuries.”
Despite those efforts and concerns about injuries and fatalities, some community members say they rarely see enforcement.
A 40-year-old Santa Clara resident who identified himself only as Tim rides his bike daily along the Los Gatos Creek Trail and said e-bikes have become a common sight.
“Every day, all the time,” Tim said about the e-bikes, noting that many who are operating dirt bike-style electric bikes appear to be teenagers riding in a way that concerns other trail users.
“My mom goes on these trails, she’s 67 years old,” Tim said. “There’s a lot of elderly people, and not a lot of people know how to have that courtesy out here.”
However, Tim said he has never personally seen a rider stopped by law enforcement on the trail.
Oscar Huerta, a 14-year-old incoming freshman at James Lick High School in San Jose, rides a Sur-Ron Light Bee X, a high-performance electric dirt bike. He said his bike can reach speeds of about 60 mph and has been modified with aftermarket parts.
“Bigger batteries, brakes, tires, lights,” Huerta said. “Mostly stuff to make them faster.”
Huerta said he and many other riders are aware that regulations exist, but he agrees enforcement is uncommon as many of his friends have not been stopped.
“None of my boys were stopped,” he said.
Huerta said he was approached by security once while riding near the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds but was not cited.
Huerta does not believe new laws would discourage riders.
“Most kids I know are still gonna ride,” he said.
J.R. McMinn is a member of the class of 2027 at Del Mar High School in San Jose.