On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 2:15 PM, Brea Police Officers responded to reports of an injury collision involving an e-bike on State College near Avocado. Arriving officers found good Samaritans providing medical aid to two individuals who were suffering from significant injuries.
A preliminary investigation determined that both individuals were on a single person e-bike riding south on the west sidewalk of State College from Lambert at a high rate of speed when their handlebar clipped a tree, causing them to go out of control and strike a brick wall. Neither were wearing a helmet. The rider suffered significant, life-threatening injuries. The passenger also suffered major injuries. Both were taken to a local trauma center for treatment.
Officers learned that both injured parties were students at Brea Canyon High School. The Brea Police Department and Brea Olinda Unified School District extend their thoughts and support to the family and friends of the injured and are grateful for the passers-by who stopped to render aid. Brea Olinda Unified School District counselors and staff will be offering support to the students and their families as they recover from their injuries.
This incident highlights the dangers of e-bike collisions and the importance of safe riding practices, such as riding in designated areas and wearing helmets. The safety of our community is of utmost importance. As such, the City of Brea recently enacted an ordinance, Brea Municipal Code 10.46.030, which prohibits riding e-bikes on sidewalks, prohibits riding in an unsafe manner, and prohibits carrying passengers on e-bikes designed for single riders.
The Brea Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating this collision. Anyone with information about this incident should contact Traffic Corporal Anthony Nguyen at (714) 990-7640 or anguyen@cityofbrea.net.
Please direct media inquiries to Lieutenant Chris Haddad at 714-990-7744 or chaddad@cityofbrea.net.
You can enact all the municipal cods you want, but I have never once seen a police officer enforce anything against an e-bike. They need to be treated like motorcycles: Licensed of-age drivers only, roadways only, with all applicable rules of the road apply. And very stiff penalties if you ride on the sidewalk, plus police ability to impound and remove riding privileges– just like with motor vehicles. Or else these tragedies will keep happening. I’ve never (for the most part) seen a motorcycle or gasoline powered moped riders on sidewalks, nor have I seen them casually breeze through red lights, or ride into oncoming traffic, or dart down the roadway at night with no lights on. Because they are old enough to know better, are licensed drivers (thus their license can be suspended), carry insurance (thus insurance rates can go up if they receive and infraction) and know that the police enforce rules against them. 14 year olds who think they are invincible and have nothing to lose have no place operating vehicles on public roads. Period.