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E-Bike Injuries Surge in Irvine: Doctors & Police Urge Helmet Use and Parental Awareness

Issue # 0499

Author

Joshua Tjia
20 Oct

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

👧🏻🚓🤝 Quick-Thinking Locals Help Irvine Police Locate Missing Woman Near Diamond Jamboree

💥⚡️🚲 E-Bike Injuries Surge in Irvine: Doctors & Police Urge Helmet Use and Parental Awareness

🏙️🙌 Honor Local Heroes: Nominate for the City of Irvine Wall of Recognition

🎉🏊💦 Blue Lake Swim Club Reopens Today After Major Renovation

🎃🎈 Take Flight with Jack the Pumpkin Balloon — Now Boarding at Great Park

🦇💦 Monster Splash Returns Oct. 25 with Trick-or-Treating and Poolside Activities

🔬💡🌟 UCI Team Unveils Potent Immunotherapy That Wipes Out Cancer Cells Without Harming Healthy Tissue

🏃🏽🎉 RunOC Marks 11 Years with a Social Night Out at Hangar 24

🎁🎨 Discover Handcrafted Gifts at Woodbridge’s Holiday & French Artisan Market

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐶🐾 Adopt Earl — The Sweet, Silly Dog Who’ll Fill Your Home With Joy

⚽️ UCI Men’s Soccer Rolls Past Sac State, 3–0

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐 IVC Women’s Volleyball Sweeps Fullerton for Fourth Straight Win

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Crean Lutheran Football Stays Unbeaten with 56–21 Homecoming Win

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🚨 Irvine Police Arrest Suspect in Counterfeit Cash Marketplace Case

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

🌟🏪🎉Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

How did the tree get a new job?

He had the right qua-leaf-ications.

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! 😁

Quick-Thinking Locals Help Irvine Police Locate Missing Woman Near Diamond Jamboree

💙 When the community comes together, amazing things happen! Recently, a woman with a disability went missing in Irvine — but thanks to some sharp-eyed locals, she was safely found.

📱 After seeing the Irvine Police Department’s social media post, a mom and her 9-year-old daughter recognized the woman near Diamond Jamboree and quickly called IPD. Officers responded, located her, and reunited her with her family.

🚓 To thank the young helpers, IPD invited the two girls for a special station tour and meet-and-greet with the officer who led the case. A heartwarming reminder that teamwork keeps Irvine safe!

E-Bike Injuries Surge in Irvine: Doctors & Police Urge Helmet Use and Parental Awareness

E-bikes are becoming popular among Irvine students, but doctors and police warn that crashes and serious injuries—especially head trauma—are climbing fast. Many accidents involve kids without helmets, untrained riders, or illegally modified bikes. Parents and the community can help keep young riders safe.

Key Points:

  • 🚴‍♂️ Rising Injuries: Local trauma surgeons report severe e-bike crashes involving fractures, brain injuries, and facial trauma requiring surgery.

  • 🧠 Helmet Laws: California law requires helmets for all riders under 18 and for all Class 3 e-bike users. Helmets can prevent life-changing brain injuries.

  • ⚡ Speed & Weight: E-bikes are faster and heavier than traditional bikes, making crashes more dangerous—especially for untrained or young riders.

  • 👶 Age Warning: Kids under 12 should not operate e-bikes that travel over 10 mph due to limited coordination and traffic awareness.

  • 🧰 E-Bike Classes:

    • Class 1: Pedal-assist up to 20 mph

    • Class 2: Throttle or pedal-assist up to 20 mph

    • Class 3: May reach 28 mph or more; helmets required

  • 🚓 Teen Risk: Teens often take risks or modify e-bikes to go over 80 mph, endangering themselves and others.

  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Parent Tips:

    • Attend IPD’s free e-bike safety workshops.

    • Have an officer inspect your child’s e-bike.

    • Ensure helmets fit properly and are worn every ride.

    • Learn about battery safety, maintenance, and fire risks.

    • Advocate for stronger enforcement of e-bike rules.

Honor Local Heroes: Nominate for the City of Irvine Wall of Recognition

Know someone making a difference in Irvine? The City of Irvine is accepting nominations for its Wall of Recognition, honoring individuals and organizations that have shaped the city’s past and continue to strengthen its community legacy.

🌟 Nominations are open Nov. 1–Dec. 30. Learn more and submit at cityofirvine.org/publicrecognition.

Blue Lake Swim Club Reopens Today After Major Renovation

Woodbridge Village Association is excited to announce that the newly renovated Blue Lake Swim Club reopens today, Monday, October 20, at 10 a.m. 

🎉The refreshed facility features a redesigned entry, expanded lounging and picnic areas with shade and barbecues, new paver decking, upgraded showers and restrooms, improved accessibility, new fencing and gates, updated diving boards, and an expanded spa deck. Come celebrate and enjoy the stunning upgrades!

Take Flight with Jack the Pumpkin Balloon — Now Boarding at Great Park

Jack the Balloon is back at the Great Park — take to the skies on everyone’s favorite glowing jack-o’-lantern! Enjoy breathtaking views and a fun seasonal experience for all ages.

🕒 Hours:

  • Mon–Wed: Closed

  • Thu–Fri: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. & 7–10 p.m.

  • Sat–Sun: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. & 7–10 p.m.

🎟️ Admission & Parking:

  • $10 for adults; kids ride free

  • Free parking in Lot 3 (follow signs to the balloon)

  • Call 949-724-6247 to check balloon status before visiting

Monster Splash Returns Oct. 25 with Trick-or-Treating and Poolside Activities

Dive into fun at Monster Splash on Saturday, Oct. 25, 1–5 p.m. at William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center!

  • Kids can trick-or-treat around the pool decks, pick and decorate pumpkins from a floating patch, and brave an inflatable obstacle course.

  • Snacks will be available for purchase, and costumes are encouraged!

  • Admission is $12 for kids 12 and under; adults are free. Don’t miss this splash-tacular spooky adventure — register at cityofirvine.org/monstersplash. 

UCI Team Unveils Potent Immunotherapy That Wipes Out Cancer Cells Without Harming Healthy Tissue

UC Irvine researchers have developed a groundbreaking class of cancer-fighting immunotherapies that act like “Velcro,” binding tightly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Led by Dr. Michael Demetriou, the team used sugar-binding proteins to target cancer-specific glycans, breaking through tumor defenses to destroy cells safely. Their engineered compounds, GlyTR1 and GlyTR2 (“GlyTR” pronounced “glitter”), effectively killed multiple cancer types — including breast, colon, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate — with no observed toxicity. Dr. Demetriou called it “the holy grail — one treatment to kill virtually all cancers.”

RunOC Marks 11 Years with a Social Night Out at Hangar 24

RunOC is celebrating its 11-year anniversary with a Social Night Out at Hangar 24 on Saturday, October 25, from 4–10 p.m. The event invites the community to join in marking over a decade of running, friendship, and connection.

Guests can meet new people, catch up with fellow runners, and enjoy a lively evening together. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP on Meetup to join the celebration.

Discover Handcrafted Gifts at Woodbridge’s Holiday & French Artisan Market

🎁 Mark your calendar for the Annual Holiday Craft Show & French Artisan Market on Saturday, November 8!

Hosted by Woodbridge Village Association, this festive event is the perfect place to find unique, handcrafted gifts and artisan treasures. Don’t miss this seasonal favorite — shop local and celebrate creativity in the heart of the community!

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. November 5, 5-9 PM: Band Spectacular, Irvine HS

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://timbmusic.org/events/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.whs-music.org/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://woodbridgechoirs.weebly.com/calendar.html

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. October 30, 7 PM: Vaquero JR Voices Concert

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html 

Adopt Earl — The Sweet, Silly Dog Who’ll Fill Your Home With Joy

Meet Earl, the three-legged wonder with a heart full of joy and personality! Whether he’s playing with a squeaky toy, basking in the sun, or showing off his signature head tilt, Earl guarantees laughter, cuddles, and endless fun.

🐾 He’s working on his dog-to-dog manners and would thrive as the only pup in the home. Adopt Earl and receive a $200 GoodPup training scholarship to kickstart your journey together.

UCI Men’s Soccer Rolls Past Sac State, 3–0

UC Irvine men’s soccer stayed unbeaten with a 3–0 win over Sacramento State. Freshman Cristian Gallo scored his first career goal, Zac Smuck added another, and Agaton Pourshahidi converted a penalty. Joe O’Shaughnessy earned his sixth shutout as the ’Eaters improved to 7-3-5 (2-0-4 Big West).

Next up: vs. UC Davis – Oct. 22, 6 PM

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Volleyball

  • Tue, Oct 21 – vs Hawai’i, 6:00 PM

Men’s Soccer

  • Wed, Oct 22– vs UC Davis, 6:00 PM

IVC Women’s Volleyball Sweeps Fullerton for Fourth Straight Win

IVC women’s volleyball earned its fourth straight win, sweeping Fullerton 3–0 to improve to 6–7 overall and 6–2 in the OEC, tied for second place. Alya Mersin led with 11 kills and seven digs, while Emma Mendel, Sam Schellenberg, Dalilah Rivero, and Tori Esko added key support.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Soccer

  • Fri, Oct 24 – vs Orange Coast, 3:00 PM

  • Fri, Oct 31 – vs Santa Ana, 1:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Tue, Oct 21 – vs Golden West, 3:00 PM

  • Tue, Oct 28 – vs Saddleback, 3:00 PM

Men’s Basketball

  • Thu, Oct 23 – vs Chaffey (Scrimmage), 5:30 PM

Crean Lutheran Football Stays Unbeaten with 56–21 Homecoming Win

Quarterback Caden Jones threw for 321 yards and five touchdowns to lead Crean Lutheran to a 56–21 homecoming win over La Habra. The Saints stay undefeated (8–0) and will face Huntington Beach next for the league title.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With October Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

October 2025

Wednesday, October 22

  • Girls Tennis – 3:30 PM vs. St. Margaret’s Episcopal

Irvine Police Arrest Suspect in Counterfeit Cash Marketplace Case

An Irvine resident was arrested after using more than $5,000 in counterfeit bills during a Facebook Marketplace transaction at the Irvine Police Department’s E-commerce exchange area. Detectives identified and arrested 33-year-old Christopher Scott Newell for theft by false pretenses and returned the property to the victim.

💵 Police remind everyone to double-check cash and meet in safe, well-lit exchange areas that are recorded for extra protection.

Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you’re a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! “Irvine Insider” is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our city. Let’s collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special.

Click the link below and fill out the Local Business Spotlight Application Form to be featured and let’s celebrate the spirit of Irvine together!

Irvine Insider is sent to a local audience of Irvine residence Monday through Friday with 50% - 60% open rate. Our newsletter is a great way to reach Irvine residents.

  • Kaiser Permanente Irvine Farmers Market

  • Saturday Farmers Market at Mariners Church Irvine

    • When: Saturday, 8 AM - 12 PM

    • Where: 5428 Bonita Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

  • Great Park Certified Farmers Market

  • Manassero Farmers

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 4:30 PM

    • Where: 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92604

  • Tanaka Farms

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

    • More Info:Tanaka Farms

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