Long Beach E-Bike Accident Lawyers

Electric Bicycle Injury Representation

Long Beach has one of the most developed cycling and e-bike networks in Southern California — and one of the highest rates of serious e-bike accidents. The LA River Bike Path, the Shoreline waterfront path, Belmont Shore, and the Second Street corridor are among the most heavily used e-bike routes in Los Angeles County, and all of them see regular collisions between e-bike riders, pedestrians, and motor vehicles. McGee Lerer Ogrin has a Long Beach office and handles e-bike accident cases throughout the city and the surrounding South Bay. Founding partner Catherine Lerer was cited by the Los Angeles Times in April 2026 as a California e-bike safety authority, and in 2023 obtained a California Court of Appeals ruling that expanded pedestrians' legal rights against micromobility operators.

Call our Long Beach office at (562) 270-0546 for a free consultation — you will speak directly with an attorney.

Catherine Lerer — Long Beach's Most Experienced E-Bike Accident Attorney

Cited by the LA Times on California E-Bike Safety (April 2026)

In April 2026, the Los Angeles Times cited Catherine Lerer as a California e-bike safety authority in its coverage of the LA City Council's proposed e-bike trail ban — asking her specifically about the risk posed by high-speed Class 3 e-bikes in corridors shared with pedestrians. That risk is precisely what defines the Long Beach waterfront and river path network, where Class 3 e-bikes traveling at 28 mph regularly share space with pedestrians who assume standard bicycle speeds.

She Changed California Law on Micromobility Liability

In 2023, Catherine obtained a ruling from the California Court of Appeals in Hacala v. Bird Rides Inc. establishing that micromobility companies have a legal duty to remove dangerous devices from public spaces and that injured pedestrians can pursue public nuisance claims against e-scooter and e-bike operators. The ruling created new legal rights for injury victims that did not exist in California before this case.

Super Lawyer 2025 and 2026 — Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Catherine Lerer has been named a Super Lawyer for 2025 and 2026 — a peer-reviewed designation awarded to fewer than 5% of California attorneys. She is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which recognizes attorneys who have obtained verdicts or settlements exceeding $2 million.

Why Long Beach E-Bike Accidents Are Different From Other California Cases

Long Beach has invested significantly in cycling infrastructure — the LA River Bike Path, the Shoreline Drive waterfront path, and the network of protected bike lanes through Belmont Shore, Bixby Knolls, and the downtown core. That infrastructure brings real benefits, but it also creates conditions specific to Long Beach that affect how e-bike accident cases are analyzed legally: paths managed by the City of Long Beach, LA County, and Caltrans each have different rules, different maintenance responsibilities, and different government claim requirements.

Long Beach also has a large commuter e-bike population using Class 2 and Class 3 bikes on streets and paths shared with pedestrians. When a commercial or rental e-bike is involved, the operating company may bear additional liability under the legal framework established in Hacala v. Bird Rides Inc. Understanding which entity is responsible — the rider, their insurer, the operating company, or the government body responsible for a dangerous path condition — requires an attorney who knows both California e-bike law and Long Beach's specific infrastructure.

Common Long Beach E-Bike Accident Scenarios

E-Bike Riders Struck by Cars

Long Beach's mix of protected bike lanes, shared paths, and high-traffic arterials creates consistent accident patterns. The most common scenarios we handle:

• Left-turn collision: A driver turns left across an approaching e-bike rider's path on Atlantic Avenue, Pacific Coast Highway, or Lakewood Boulevard — misjudging the rider's speed on a Class 3 bike.
• Door zone collision: A driver or passenger opens a door into an e-bike rider traveling in the bike lane. Long Beach has miles of street parking adjacent to bike infrastructure, where dooring is a constant risk.
• Intersection right-hook: A driver makes a right turn directly into an e-bike rider traveling straight through an intersection in the protected lane.
• Parking lot or driveway exit: Common in the Belmont Shore commercial district and along 2nd Street, where drivers exit parking without checking for cyclists on the adjacent path.

An injured e-bike rider has a claim against the at-fault driver's auto insurance for medical expenses, bike damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the driver fled, had no insurance, or carried insufficient coverage, the rider's own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may apply.

Pedestrians and Cyclists Struck by E-Bike Riders on the LA River Path and Waterfront

The LA River Bike Path is one of the longest continuous cycling corridors in Los Angeles County, running through Long Beach to the ocean. It is heavily used by e-bike commuters traveling at Class 3 speeds — up to 28 mph — on a path that also carries pedestrians, traditional cyclists, and children. At that speed differential, a pedestrian who misjudges an approaching e-bike's speed can be struck with an impact nearly double that of a standard bicycle collision. The Long Beach waterfront path along Shoreline Drive has the same dynamic, particularly in the summer months when pedestrian traffic is highest.

If you were injured by an e-bike rider on the LA River path, the Shoreline waterfront path, or anywhere in Long Beach, the rider's homeowners or renters insurance is typically the first source of compensation. Our 2023 appellate ruling in Hacala v. Bird Rides Inc. may also establish additional grounds for claims if a shared or rental e-bike was involved.

When a Minor Was Riding the E-Bike

Under California law, the parents of a minor who negligently rides an e-bike and injures another person are legally responsible for the resulting damages. The parents' homeowners or renters insurance is typically the applicable policy. This applies across Long Beach — including on the LA River path, in Belmont Shore, and in any residential neighborhood where children ride e-bikes. Many injured pedestrians assume there is no recovery when the rider is a child. In most cases, there is.

Defective E-Bikes and Product Liability

Throttle malfunctions, brake failures, battery fires, and structural defects are responsible for a meaningful share of e-bike accidents in California. Long Beach, as a major port city with significant e-bike import and distribution activity, has seen a higher-than-average number of defective device claims involving e-bikes sourced from manufacturers not yet subject to California safety enforcement. If a product defect caused or contributed to your accident, you may have a claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer in addition to any claim against the rider or driver. McGee Lerer Ogrin, founding partner Daniel McGee, spent 16 years handling product liability cases against major manufacturers.