By: Dr. Ciara Yoep, Emplify Health by Bellin Pediatrician

E-bikes and electric scooters have become a familiar sight in neighborhoods, on trails and along city streets. They’re convenient, fun and decently priced, which makes them appealing to just about everyone. But as their popularity has surged, so has something less welcome: increases in injuries that can leave many with serious lacerations or fractures.

According to reports from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, emergency room visits tied to micromobility products — a category that includes e-bikes and e-scooters — climbed steadily from 2017 to 2023. The University of California San Francisco conducted its own report and found that e-bike injuries have doubled every year during that same five-year stretch. It’s a startling statistic worth paying attention to.

The nature of these injuries is what is the most concerning. Because riders are exposed — no doors, no seatbelts, no airbags — a crash can cause internal injuries, road rash and fractures. These are the kinds of injuries that can take someone out of work, out of their sport and away from the activities they love for weeks or months and sometimes permanently.

E-bikes and traditional bicycles differ greatly. E-bikes are heavier, faster, more powerful and can easily pick up speed, especially on hills or when starting from a stop. Even riders who are experienced on a regular bike can be caught off guard. That gap between expectation and reality is where many accidents begin.

The good news is that e-bike injuries are preventable, and it starts with a few straightforward habits:

Wearing a helmet on every single ride.
Practice controlling, accelerating and stopping your device BEFORE you head onto trails and roads. (Consider looking for a model with speed controls to set max speeds)
Stay alert and visible when operating. Don’t assume drivers and pedestrians can see you.
Follow trail and road rules and signs.
Check with your local municipality on rules and guidelines for micromobility devices.

E-bikes offer genuine benefits, from getting more people outdoors and active to saving costs on gas by reducing car trips. The goal isn’t to discourage riding but to make sure that when you head out, you come back home safely. A few smart habits can make all the difference.

Published on: Aug 24, 2026 at 7:42 am