E-bike alert

Teens in Northeast Florida and throughout the country have a new vehicle of choice: electric bikes. More than 1.1 million “e-bikes” were sold in the United States in 2022, according to the American College of Surgeons. As they grow in popularity, so too does the number of injuries from crashes.

Unlike traditional bicycles, which require the rider to pedal to move, e-bikes incorporate a motor to propel the rider to speeds up to 28 miles per hour.

“In the last 18 months, and really in the last three or four, we’ve seen a significant increase in both the frequency and severity of children injured because of electric bike or electric scooter accidents,” said John Draus, MD, medical director of the Wolfson Children’s Porter Family Children’s Trauma Center and chief of Pediatric Surgery for Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville.

In fact, Wolfson Children’s Hospital saw a 222% increase in e-bike and e-scooter injuries from 2023 to 2024. Early data indicates the numbers may again double in 2025.

According to Dr. Draus, the most common injuries that require admission to the hospital include:

• Broken arms or legs
• Facial or skull fractures
• Brain bleeds

“Honestly, it’s scary,” Dr. Draus said. “As a father of two teens, myself, I know this is the thing every parent fears most.”

E-bike injury protection and prevention

Parents whose kids are already cruising on e-bikes and e-scooters – or those who are considering purchasing one in the future – can encourage their kids to follow three simple rules to stay safe:

1. Always wear a helmet. Not just any helmet, but one specifically designed to withstand the higher speeds of e-bikes and e-scooters. Elbow and knee pads, along with wrist guards, can also help prevent broken bones or cuts.
2. Follow the rules of the road. That means signaling when turning and adhering to stop signs, traffic patterns and speed limits.
3. Assume cars can’t see you. According to Dr. Draus, many accidents between cars and e-bikes occur because the driver didn’t see the rider. While lights and reflectors on your bike and bright or reflective clothing can boost visibility, riding cautiously around cars will have big impact.

“Safety starts at home, so parents should model appropriate behavior for their kids,” said Jessica Winberry, prevention coordinator with Safe Kids Northeast Florida, which is led by THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. “Parents can go on rides with their children, making sure they wear their own helmet and reinforce the rules as they go. Make sure your child understands traffic flow, signals and safe speeds.”

Minutes matter when an emergency, like an e-bike or e-scooter crash, occurs. Wolfson Children’s and Baptist Health have Emergency Centers located throughout Northeast Florida to provide care when you and your family need it most. To find the location nearest you, click here. For more injury prevention tips from Safe Kids Northeast Florida, click here.

Reference: American College of Surgeons