Emergency departments nationwide are reporting spikes in serious injuries and even deaths – among children riding electric bikes, electric scooters and other micromobility devices.
At Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, doctors have already treated more kids injured in e-scooter and e-bike accidents in 2025 than in the prior three years combined.
“We have seen an alarming increase in the number of kids who experienced serious trauma while riding e-bikes and e-scooters.”
Dr. Bryanna Emr, pediatric trauma medical director at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital
Dr. Bryanna Emr, pediatric trauma medical director at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. “Parents need to know the risks before letting their child ride these vehicles.”
The most serious e-scooter and e-bike accidents happen when kids are hit by cars while riding on main roads and sidewalks, Emr says. Often, they’re heading to and from school or riding after sunset, when drivers can’t see them as easily.
“A lot of riders have headphones in or they’re trying to send a message on their phone, and they're distracted,” Emr says. “They’re not paying attention, and just for those 10 seconds, they don't see the car coming.”
The faster the speed, the more serious the crash. While each model varies, e-bikes and e-scooters can reach speeds of 20 miles per hour or higher.
“Kids can go so much faster on these e-bikes and e-scooters than they normally would on a regular pedal bicycle, so they're getting hit at higher speeds, and their injuries are much worse than we've seen in other bicycle or scooter accidents,” Emr says.
Common injuries include life-threatening head trauma, such as brain bleeding or skull fractures, along with broken ribs, fractured legs and bruised internal organs.
Kids can also get hurt when they collide with other e-bike and e-scooter riders, crash into stationary objects or tumble over potholes or rocky surfaces. One problem with e-scooters, Emr says, is that their small wheels don’t handle bumps in the road well.
While less common, some riders have reported that their vehicle’s batteries overheat and catch fire, putting them at risk for burns.
Know the law. Under Pennsylvania law, e-scooters and e-bikes aren’t allowed on sidewalks. E-scooters can’t be operated on public roadways.
Wait till they’re ready to drive. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that children under 16 should not operate or ride motorized or e-scooters. Emr agrees and says even some 16-year-olds might not be ready. “Make sure your child is responsible enough to stay off their phone and music, pay attention at all times on the road, wear appropriate gear and a helmet and know how the equipment works and the rules of the road,” she says. “It's basically like operating a small motorcycle.” A bill introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate in September would prohibit children under age 16 from operating an e-scooter and require helmets for riders ages 16 and 17. The bill would also set a statewide speed limit, ban more than one rider per e-scooter and require users to follow the same traffic rules as cyclists.
Wear a helmet. Research published in JAMA Surgery found that e-bike riders who didn’t wear helmets were almost twice as likely to sustain head injuries as those who did. If you’re shopping for a new helmet, Emr recommends choosing one that covers most of the skull, like a motorcycle helmet.
Check before every ride. Make sure brakes and other parts are working properly before your child gets on an e-bike or e-scooter.
Stay visible. Use your vehicle’s lights and wear reflective clothing, especially when it’s dark out.
Stay alert. Don’t use headphones or look at your phone while riding. If you see a pothole or other obstacle, slow down. Check for traffic before going around it.
Watch for delayed symptoms. If your kid crashes their e-scooter or e-bike – even if it’s a minor accident – watch for signs of a concussion or more serious injury for at least 24 hours, Emr says. “If they have any signs of ongoing headaches, nausea, vomiting, vision changes or sleepiness, then they should come to the emergency department for evaluation,” she says.
Think twice before you buy. “E-bikes and e-scooters look like a lot of fun,” Emr says, “but they come with a lot more responsibility and a higher risk of injury than people realize.”
(Newswise/HG)
