SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — As e-bike crashes and injuries continue to climb, San Diego County is offering free safety classes for children while local leaders increase enforcement against unsafe and illegal riding. 

The second event of its kind was held Saturday at the T. Claude and Gladys B. Ryan Family YMCA in Point Loma to make sure kids know the rules of the road and distribute free helmets.

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“There are times when he’s riding by himself, so I want him to learn the rules of the road from an expert versus mom and dad,” said Esperanza Romero, one of several parents who attended with her 13-year-old son Leonardo. “My biggest concern is him knowing that other cars need to see him. I want him to also know the speed limits he’s too young to have a license.”

Certified cyclist instructors from the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition are teaching the dos and dont’s of riding an e-bike.

“You should ride almost as if you are a motor vehicle, but following the bicycle infrastructure when it’s there,” said instructor Susan Patch.

Patch is passing down her knowledge to the youth, and it comes at a time serious injuries among young e-bike riders are on the rise both in San Diego County and the state. 

At Rady Children’s Hospital, e-bikes made up just 2% of traumatic bicycle injuries in 2017. By 2023, they accounted for more than 60%, according to a study.

Through education, the county is hoping to tackle the issue. 

“We’ve been seeing that this problem is exponentially getting bigger with more e-bikes being sold, more parents giving their kids these e-bikes,” said Jadyn Greenwood, Policy Advisor with the office of County Board of Supervisors Chair Terra Lawson-Remer which is hosting the events.

While local leaders continue exploring policy options, they’re creating a data hub to better understand the problem. “To make sure that not only are we well-equipped with all the information we’re just not driving blind in what this problem actually is and then we’ll go from there,” said Greenwood.

From breaking, to signaling., to knowing the difference between an e-bike and an e-moto, the goal is clear. 

“Even if it’s not his bike kids are going to end up on a friend’s bike so just making sure they’re safe about it,” said Romero.

Future Classes:

Rancho Peñasquitos — Saturday, July 25, 1pm-4pm

Rancho Family YMCA, 9410 Fairgrove Ln, San Diego

La Jolla — Saturday, August 8, 1pm-4pm

Dan McKinney Family YMCA, 8355 Cliffridge Ave, La Jolla

Encinitas — Saturday, August 22, 1pm-4pm

Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA, 200 Saxony Rd, Encinitas

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