Hospitals in the Detroit metropolitan area are experiencing a surge in serious injuries associated with electric bicycles (e-bikes), as police report a rise in crashes and medical professionals treat a growing number of related incidents.
These developments have led some communities to consider restrictions or outright bans on e-bikes. The devices, particularly Class 3 models that can reach speeds up to 28 miles per hour, pose increased risks on both sidewalks and streets, according to emergency room doctor Robert Sherwin of the Detroit Medical Center. He noted that riders may not anticipate the speed and weight of e-bikes, which he likened to motor vehicles in terms of potential impact.
"These e-bikes are heavier than regular bikes, and they travel much faster, but the human body doesn’t change just because a bike has a motor," Sherwin stated, highlighting the severity of injuries ranging from minor to major trauma.
Local bike shop owner John Hughes suggested that a significant factor contributing to dangerous situations is the interaction between cyclists and motor vehicles. "Cars aren’t looking out for bikes… people don’t respect bikes as a form of transportation, and that’s where it gets dangerous," Hughes said, also citing driver distraction due to cell phone use.
Nationwide, safety concerns have prompted legislative action. New Jersey recently enacted a law requiring e-bike registration and mandating that riders be at least 15 years old, possessing either a valid driver's license or an e-bike license. This measure followed concerns over e-bike crashes, including the fatality of a New Jersey teenager, with proponents arguing that licensing, helmet, and registration requirements would encourage responsible riding and reduce harm.
Research from NYU Langone Health has also indicated a rise in brain and spine injuries linked to e-bikes and scooters, affecting both riders and pedestrians in New York City. A study published in the journal Neurosurgery found that medical emergencies involving pedal-powered and electric bikes and scooters constituted nearly 7% of trauma patients admitted to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. Traumatic brain injuries were sustained by one-third of the 914 patients treated, with more than two-thirds requiring hospital admission and approximately 30% needing intensive care.
The study further revealed that physical harm associated with electric bikes and scooters increased from less than 10% of cases in 2018 to over half by 2023. Collisions with cars or trucks were the most common cause of injury, accounting for about half of all cases. Helmet use was infrequent, with fewer than one-third of riders wearing them, a factor linked to a significantly higher rate of brain and facial injuries. The analysis also noted that 20% of patients tested positive for alcohol, which correlated with more severe head trauma and lower rates of helmet use. Pedestrians struck by these vehicles experienced brain injuries at nearly twice the rate of riders.
Hannah Weiss, MD, a resident in the Department of Neurosurgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and a corresponding author of the study, commented that these findings indicate "micromobility injuries are producing serious brain and spinal trauma that demands neurosurgical care at a scale we haven’t seen before." She emphasized the need for actionable solutions such as helmet use, improved bike lane design, and enforcement to prevent injuries.
Paul P. Huang, MD, associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and chief of neurosurgery at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, added that urban infrastructure needs to evolve to accommodate the rapid increase in e-bikes and scooters. He suggested future studies should assess the impact of protected bike lanes, helmet programs, and speed enforcement on reducing the incidence of brain and spine surgeries.