As electric bikes and scooters become an increasingly common way for young people to get around, injuries tied to the devices are climbing at an alarming rate.
New research from Truveta, a health data and analytics firm supported by a coalition of 30 U.S. health systems, analyzed over 12,000 emergency room visits nationwide. The findings revealed that injury rates associated with e-bikes and e-scooters among children and adolescents surged 7.5-fold between January 2023 and May 2026, an increase compared to the rates seen in adults.
ER visits related to e-bikes and e-scooters have increased by 671% for children and adolescents, said Karen Gilbert Farrar, PhD, lead researcher at Truveta. "Just to put that in context, that's if one patient is was
being seen in 2023, that's now nearly eight patients in 2026."
The findings also highlight the severity of many crashes: more than one-third of injured patients suffered head or neck injuries. And nearly 7% of child and adolescent visits that were related to e-bike and e-scooter use involved traumatic brain injury, Farrar said.
What are e-bikes and are they regulated?
E-bikes are equipped with an electric motor that assists the rider when pedaling, and some models can also provide power through a throttle.
Most states regulate e-bikes using the three-class system developed by PeopleForBikes and industry partners to create consistent national classes. This system categorizes e-bikes based on how the motor provides assistance and the bike's maximum assisted speed, helping states determine rider requirements and where different types of e-bikes may operate.
California was the first to officially adopt the standardized three-class e-bike system in 2015. Since then, it has been adopted by most U.S. states.
State laws set the groundwork, but individual cities and counties frequently establish their own regulations regarding sidewalk riding, trail access, and speed limits. It's important to verify both state and local rules before biking in a new location. Additionally, federal lands, such as National Parks and Forest Service areas, have varying policies.
The most common e-bike and e-scooter injuries
Injuries to the head and neck were the leading cause of visits to the ER, followed by injuries to the wrists, arms, and shoulders, according to Truveta.
"What we see is very consistent with the national data," said Dr. Brian Coates, a service line medical director for Trauma & Surgical Services with Saint Alphonsus Health System, a member of Trinity Health. "The rapid and severe rise of not just [the] totality of injuries, but the severity of injuries that we see."
While there are still a lot of minor injuries, we're seeing a significant rise in severe injuries, said Coates. "Specifically traumatic brain injury that does sometimes lead to death, but certainly leads to long-term morbidity as well, which is life-changing," he said.
E-bike rider Safety
TheAmerican Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that parents should carefully consider a child’s age, riding ability and understanding of traffic rules before allowing them to ride an e-bike. Wearing a high-quality helmet, following road safety guidelines and receiving proper instruction can help reduce the risk of crashes and injuries.
SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Truveta; People for Bikes; The Cyclist Choice; American Academy of Pediatrics
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's driving the rise in e-bike injuries among kids and teens?
