E-Bike Injuries Among Kids Surge, With Higher Rates Of Severe Injuries

E-bike crashes involving kids are soaring — and the injuries are getting more serious, according to a new study.

“We’ve been seeing more and more kids on e-bikes, both on the street and in the hospital,” said co-author Dr. Stephanie Chao of the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Researchers examined more than 13,000 injury cases at six children’s hospitals across the country.

They found e-bike injuries jumped 33% per quarter from early 2023 through March 2026.

E-scooter injuries rose 15% per quarter. In all, 8% of e-bike injuries were classified as severe — double the rate for traditional bikes.

“These kids are coming in with increasingly severe injuries,” said Chao, a pediatric trauma surgeon.

The study found 1 in 10 children injured on e-bikes suffered brain injuries — twice the rate for traditional bikes. And 17% required hospitalization.

Nearly 1 in 4 e-bike injuries involved children younger than 12.

Researchers are calling for age restrictions, speed limits and better helmet protection. They’re also urging parents to teach kids the rules of the road — reminding them that on an e-bike, “they have to obey the same road rules as other vehicles.”

The study was published Nov. 2 in JAMA.

More information

The Traffic Safety Team has more on e-bike safety.

SOURCE: HealthDay TV, Nov. 2, 2026