SoCal teen speaks out about e-bike dangers after recovering from life-threatening crash

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A Los Angeles-area teenager who was critically injured last year in an electric bicycle crash is now speaking out about the dangers such bikes can pose.

Andrea Rankin said she still remembers the phone call she received on Aug. 26 last year after her daughter, Raquel Waters, was injured while riding a friend's e-bike on a residential street.

"I picked up the phone and she said, 'Rocky's been in an accident, and the ambulance is here to take her,'" Rankin said.

Raquel, who was 14 at the time, suffered significant injuries in the crash.

"Only thing I remember is waking up in the hospital, having my jaw wired shut," the teen said. "I had staples in the side of my head, my hair was like in a big rat's nest."

Andrea Rankin said a helmet likely saved her life.

"She went flying over the handlebars at a really high speed, and if she wasn't wearing a helmet, she would've probably not made it," she said.

Dr. Ryan Spurrier, director of trauma surgery at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, said injuries involving children on e-bikes are increasing dramatically.

"I think we're projecting to be about 700% more than we saw just three years ago," Spurrier said.

The injuries can be severe, he said.

"Those include injuries from head to toe, traumatic brain injuries, liver lacerations, broken bones and spines," Spurrier said.

He described the trend as a pediatric health emergency.

"Have there been fatalities her at Children's Hospital that have been related to e-bikes," ABC7 Anchor Marc Brown asked Spurrier.

"Certainly, and across Southern California and across the country," Spurrier replied.

In early May, 13-year-old Benson Nguyen was killed while riding an e-motorcycle. Nguyen was traveling about 35 mph when he struck a center median and was ejected.

He was wearing a standard bicycle helmet, which did not protect him. The e-motorcycle he was riding was not street legal.

Authorities have also highlighted risks to pedestrians. In April, 81-year-old Ed Ashman was killed after being struck by an e-bike ridden by a 14-year-old in Lake Forest.

The slowest e-bikes travel between 18 and 23 mph, and videos posted online demonstrate how some riders can modify e-bikes to reach speeds of up to 50 mph.

Aliza Nichols, founder of the nonprofit organization It Needs to End, said education is critical to preventing crashes. She said many young riders lack experience riding e-bikes.

"These kids get them and assume they know what they're doing. But truthfully, they have no training on two wheels with a motor at all," she said.

Despite her concerns, Nichols said she does not support banning e-bikes.

"If you could wave a magic wand and ban these, would you?" Brown asked Nichols.

"Absolutely not," she said.

Nichols, who comes from a family of motorcycle riders, said the focus should be on safe riding practices.

"If you love it, you love it. There is no getting it out of your spirit. If you like being on two wheels, you just love doing it. I just think they need to know how to do it safe," he said.

Her organization provides safety training at middle schools and advises lawmakers on legislation aimed at improving e-bike safety.

Spurrier said parents also play an important role in preventing injuries.

"The common sense dictates that if you wouldn't let your child ride a motorcycle, don't buy them an e-bike," he said.

Raquel Waters, now 15, said her experience changed her perspective on e-bikes.

"Do you think you'll ever get on another one," Brown asked the teen.

"No. Absolutely not," she said.

As students head back to school, some local school districts are requiring riders to complete safety training and wear helmets rated for motorized bicycles.

Standard bicycle helmets do not meet those requirements. Parents are encouraged to check district rules before the school year begins.