California Offers Cash for E-Bikes to Curb Rising Crash Rates

In Orange County, California, a new buyback program is attempting to address a sharp rise in severe injuries involving electric bicycles and scooters. The initiative offers residents up to $1,000 in gift cards in exchange for surrendering their high-speed electric vehicles, a move driven by data showing a significant increase in crashes over the past five years.

The program was highlighted by Jesse Hayes, a 20-year-old who spent three months on life support after being struck by a car while riding an e-bike. As the first participant in the September buyback event, Hayes hopes his experience will serve as a warning to other young riders about the long-term physical consequences of these vehicles.

Financial incentives drive participation

The Orange County District Attorney's Office organized the event at Angel Stadium, where families lined up at dawn to secure their spot. Participants could turn in e-bikes, e-motorcycles, e-scooters, and pocket bikes in exchange for gift cards from major retailers. The total budget for the event was $110,000, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Most of the surrendered vehicles were Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes, which have a motor-assisted top speed of 20 miles per hour. These vehicles qualified owners for approximately $300 to $400 in gift cards. An additional perk for the first 75 participants included tickets to a local sports team, adding a layer of immediate reward to the financial compensation.

Crash statistics show a growing crisis

Data obtained by local news outlets indicates that reported e-bike crashes in California jumped from 48 in 2020 to 1,366 in 2025. In Orange County specifically, the number of crashes increased from 34 to 347 over the same period, resulting in three fatalities. This trend has led medical professionals to describe the situation as a major crisis in the region.

Laura Goodman, a pediatric surgeon, noted that e-bikes have become the leading cause of trauma activations at her hospital. These activations occur when injuries are severe enough to require a large emergency medical team. The most common injuries involve the head, neck, and face, along with significant bone fractures, which are often more severe than those sustained in traditional bicycle accidents.

Enforcement targets reckless youth riding

The buyback program is part of a broader enforcement strategy aimed at curbing reckless riding and illegal use by minors. District Attorney Todd Spitzer emphasized that these vehicles are not toys and can lead to deadly consequences. His office has recently filed child-endangerment charges against parents who allowed their children to ride high-speed e-motorcycles, despite legal prohibitions.

State records show that children ages 11 to 14 account for nearly two-thirds of e-motorcycle crashes, even though they are legally barred from operating such vehicles. Critics argue that the high speeds and power of these machines make them unsuitable for urban areas, particularly for inexperienced riders. The buyback aims to remove these high-risk vehicles from the road to protect both riders and pedestrians.