SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — The Market Research Group NPD estimates that electric bikes sales boosted 145% during the pandemic, more than double the rate of sales of the classic bicycle.

Along with growing popularity, a local hospital group says e-bike related hospital visits are also growing, including some deaths.

Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo Trauma Medical Director Dr. Tetsuya Takeuchi said their hospital has seen a major increase in the number of kids who ended up in the emergency room after riding an e-bike. 

So far this year, there have been at least 38 kids, up from six kids last year. "E-bikes are becoming more popular. And that's why we will see more e-bike accidents," the trauma surgeon said.

Including kids and adults, the hospital has seen more than 100 e-bike riders in the emergency rooms, including two patients who died.

"Forty percent of the patients, including pediatrics, were not wearing helmets," Takeuchi said.

Keith Orahood was riding his e-bike heading to work along the bike path in San Clemente. He does not wear a helmet when he rides his e-bike because the law only requires helmets for anyone under 18.

"I think there's one in the garage, but the garage is pretty crowded and I can't find it," he said.

Moreover, he said he feels safe since he does not max the bike out, which can go about 28 mph.

He said there is only one car in their household, so the e-bike is "a great alternative for me."

Caleb Weissmann loves riding his electric bike. 

"It's just fun to feel the air on your face," he said.

His e-bike is also the reason the 12-year-old can go surfing every morning in San Clemente without asking his mom or dad for a ride.

"When I got my electric bike I was just so happy," he said.

When Caleb rides, his parents have established rules. The rules are that no one is allowed to ride on the e-bikes with a friend or ride tandem, no going fast and as required by law, always wear a helmet.

"I always have to wear my helmet, no matter what," he said.

Earlier this year, when he was riding back home from a surf session with his friends on their e-bikes, Caleb flipped off his bike. He said he does not remember much but recalled waking up in a hospital bed.

"I thought it was a dream," he said.

He was rushed to Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo. He had a severe concussion.

Julia Weissmann said her son was out of school for six weeks, unable to look at screens or do much other than play with Legos as he recovered. 

Julia Weissmann said if her son had not been wearing a helmet that day, he might not have lived.

Caleb was out of school for six weeks, and eventually, his mom and dad allowed him to get back on his ride.

Julia Weissmann said while she was a bit hesitant to let him ride his e-bike again, "I knew that, that was a big enough wakeup call for him that he was going to continue to be cautious."

Caleb remains cautious and a vocal advocate for practicing safety first. He said when he sees friends or classmates zipping around without a helmet, he is not shy about yelling, "You're not cool because you don't have a helmet on."

Julia Weissmann said she hopes the community can get together and provide training and safety resources for riders of e-bikes.