The Orange County district attorney is sending a warning to parents after filing criminal charges against the father of a teen who was involved in a crash while riding an e-bike.
While e-bikes are becoming more popular with teens, police say many parents don’t realize how powerful some of these bikes can be or the risks when they’re modified or used improperly.
Video from the Irvine Police Department shows how quickly an e-bike ride can turn dangerous. In several incidents shared by the department, riders lose control, crash, or slam into cars.
Now the growing concern is at the center of a criminal case filed by the Orange County district attorney.
“The father has been charged with helping his son modify an ebike into an e-motorcycle by changing the pedals to motorcycle pegs and then also removing the governor on the bike, which limits the speed of it to 20 mph, and rewiring it so that it could be driven up to 60 mph,” said Kimberly Edds, director of public affairs for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Edds said Richard John Eyssallene of Yorba Linda faces felony child endangerment and child abuse charges, along with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
She said his 12-year-old son was seriously injured last year after running a red light and crashing into a car on Via Lomas de Yorba West and La Palma Avenue.
“He was wearing a helmet but suffered inner cranial bleeding, he suffered a fractured femur, a fractured wrist and several other injuries,” Edds said.
Edds said the teen received the bike as a Christmas gift the year before the crash and had already been cited once for riding the modified e-motorcycle illegally.
The teen also attended an e-bike safety seminar with his dad and younger brother before the crash.
“I don’t think we should be putting our child in a situation where they are riding a vehicle that is capable of going 60 miles an hour,” Edds said.
But police say the problem extends beyond this case.
In Newport Beach, officers conducted a targeted enforcement operation around schools last month. In a single day, they stopped 46 e-bike riders, issued 37 administrative citations, 14 vehicle code citations and 12 warnings. They also impounded three e-bikes and arrested two teens on electric motorcycles who attempted to evade officers.
Doctors say they’re seeing the impact as well.
According to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, doctors treated 201 e-bike trauma patients last year, up from 125 the year prior.
In response, police departments across the county are holding safety seminars for e-bike riders and their parents.
“Part of our training is not only doing the practical exercises and the hands-on training, but we also go into and actually showing some of the advertisements of some of the well-known manufacturers that are selling these bikes online and showing them what the difference is and really opening their eyes to what an actual legal versus illegal device is,” said Mike Thomas, a sergeant with the Huntington Beach Police Department.
But for now, prosecutors say the Yorba Linda case is meant to send a clear message to parents.
“If you fail to follow those laws, you as a parent are going to be held accountable,” Edds said.
The Yorba Linda father charged by the district attorney’s office appeared in court Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He faces up to six years in prison if found guilty.
As for e-bike safety seminars, Huntington Beach and most departments in Orange County offer them.
Residents can contact their local police department for more information.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
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