<https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11219091/Parents-boy-17-killed-30mph-crash-modified-electric-bike-demand-tougher-laws.html>

QUOTE:
The parents of a teenager who died after crashing while riding an
electric bike have urged cyclists to wear helmets to 'prevent families
going through this same tragic hell'.

Owen David Jones, 17, from Crawshawbooth, Lancashire, headed down
Goodshaw Fold Road in Loveclough, Rossendale, on May 11 this year at
speeds of up to 30mph on a Sur-Ron E-Bike electric bike, which had been
modified to go faster, he borrowed from his friend Marley.

Marley, who was also with another friend Jack, warned Owen 'not to use
sport mode' but after he didn't return for 10 minutes, the two became
concerned.

When Marley and Jack got to the bottom of the hill they saw Owen lying
unconscious with his head against the kerb and blood coming from him.

Owen was not wearing a helmet.

The 17-year-old was airlifted to the Royal Preston Hospital in
Lancashire where doctors discovered he had suffered a catastrophic brain
injury with several fractures and areas of bleeding.

Owen, an apprentice joiner and carpenter, sadly died the following day
after experiencing 'unsurvivable injuries' in the crash.

An inquest held yesterday at Preston Coroner's Court heard that the
pressure inside Owen's skull was four times the normal level.

After the inquest Owen's parents Lisa and Richard called for greater
legislation over electric bikes and scooters.

The Sur-Ron bike Owen had been riding at the time of the crash was not
road legal and had undergone several modifications to allow it to be
ridden faster.

Yesterday's inquest heard that as the bike Owen was riding was not road
legal it did not have to conform to any safety features.

However, despite the modifications, Area Coroner Chris Long found that
these had not contributed to the collision.

Owen's parents said: 'Four months ago we lost Owen from a severe brain
injury caused by coming off a Sur-Ron E-Bike. If he was wearing a
helmet, we've no doubt the outcome could have been very different and
Owen would be here today.

'More legislation is needed for e-bikes and e-scooters. I regard the
operation of many e-bikes as more akin to a motorcycle road bike than a
bicycle.

'They achieve acceleration to a top speed of 40+mph, much faster than
anything else on the roads.

'Since Owens accident we've personally seen teenagers without helmets
and careless adults speeding down streets/roads and even pavements on
their e-bikes for public safety, helmet requirements, age limitations
and operating restrictions should be implemented for e-bikes, as they
are for motorcycles.

'This may prevent other parents and families going through this same
tragic hell as we are.'
ENDQUOTE