Injuries from e-bikes and e-scooters are increasing at an alarming rate, with children experiencing a faster rise in serious harm compared to adults, according to new research. Pediatric surgeon Dr. Jose Prince highlights a significant surge in hospitalizations and severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, among young riders.
Between January 2023 and March 2026, six major children's hospitals across the U.S. treated approximately 13,000 young people for injuries related to bikes, scooters, and skateboards. During this period, e-scooter injuries rose by 15%, while e-bike injuries saw a dramatic increase of 33% every three months. These figures far surpass the injury rates for non-motorized versions of these vehicles.
"Kids are twice as likely to have a severe injury on an e-bike or e-scooter compared to a non-motorized bike or scooter," Dr. Prince stated. The study also found that nearly one in four e-bike injuries and almost half of e-scooter injuries involved children under the age of 12.
The severity of these incidents is also concerning. Approximately one in six e-bike injuries and one in eight e-scooter injuries required hospitalization. A separate study indicated an 1,810% rise in e-bike-related emergency room visits for children over a similar three-year span.
Brain injuries were found to be about twice as common for children on e-bikes and e-scooters compared to those on traditional bikes and scooters. One in ten children injured on an e-bike and nearly the same proportion on e-scooters suffered brain injuries. These head injuries pose a particular danger to children due to their thinner skulls and developing brains, making them more susceptible to damage.
Dr. Prince and study authors attribute the escalating injury rates to several factors, primarily the increased speed of these motorized vehicles. E-bikes can reach speeds up to 28 mph, significantly faster than the typical 14 mph of a non-motorized bike in urban settings. In New York, while regulated e-bikes have speed and motor limits, a large number of privately owned e-bikes are in use.
The lack of helmet use is another major concern. While New York mandates helmets for riders aged 16 and 17, Dr. Prince strongly advises helmet use for all riders, regardless of age, especially on faster e-bikes. He suggests that parents consider motorcycle-grade helmets for Class 3 e-bikes capable of reaching 28 mph.
"As a parent, I would think about a motorcycle helmet for the Class 3 e-bike that can go up to 28 mph," he added, echoing sentiments from parents who have experienced the devastating consequences of such injuries.