13-Year-Old Critically Injured in Electric Bike Accident Before Bar Mitzvah in Gan Yavne

A 13-year-old boy was seriously injured last weekend when he was hit by a car while riding an electric bike at the Gan Yavne junction. The boy was crossing a pedestrian crossing with a friend when the accident occurred. He was initially taken to Assuta Hospital in Ashdod and later transferred to Schneider Children's Medical Center in critical condition due to multiple severe injuries. His injuries include multiple fractures to the face, jaw, skull base, nose, and ankle, as well as dental trauma and a lung hematoma. He underwent a complex five-hour surgery involving specialists in neurosurgery, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, ophthalmology, and orthopedics. The boy remains in intensive care, suffering from severe pain, impaired vision, and limited mobility.

The accident happened just before the boy's bar mitzvah, a milestone he was supposed to celebrate with family and friends. His mother, who requested anonymity, revealed that the electric bike was brought home by a friend without parental knowledge, as their household prohibits electric vehicle use. She expressed deep concern about the lack of enforcement of age restrictions on electric bikes and scooters in Israel, where the legal riding age is 16, yet many younger children ride these vehicles daily. She called on parents to unite and prevent children from riding electric bikes at a young age, emphasizing the dangers and social pressures that lead children to take risks.

The mother highlighted the urgent need for stricter supervision and community action, warning that waiting until a child is hospitalized is too late. She praised the medical teams at Schneider for their dedicated care but described the family's ongoing struggle with the boy's severe condition and uncertain recovery. Authorities are still investigating the circumstances of the accident, and the driver involved stopped at the scene and called emergency services.

This incident underscores the broader public safety issue in Israel regarding electric bike and scooter use among minors, especially during school vacations when unsupervised outdoor activity increases. In 2025, 126 riders of two-wheeled vehicles died on Israeli roads, with many more children sustaining serious injuries annually. The mother’s plea reflects a growing concern among families about the risks posed by these vehicles and the need for collective responsibility to protect children.