E-bike injuries are surging in emergency departments, with young riders hit hardest. About 41% of all e-bike-related ER visits in 2024–2025 involved patients aged 10–19, and at one California children's hospital, e-bike crashes are now the leading cause of trauma visits. With no federal regulations in place, states are scrambling to catch up.
E-bike sales in the U.S. have more than quadrupled over the past five years — and emergency departments are feeling it. Injuries from e-bike crashes are surging, with teens and children disproportionately affected. At Rady Children's Health Orange County, e-bike injuries went from just one trauma visit in 2021 to becoming the leading cause of trauma patient visits by 2025.
The risks are real: e-bikes are heavier and faster than traditional bicycles, making them harder to control — especially for inexperienced young riders. Some youth models are capped at 20 mph, but illegal speed limiter bypasses push those risks even higher.
With no federal law governing e-bike use, states and cities are stepping in. San Diego banned children under 12 from riding e-bikes, and New Jersey now requires a special license to operate them. Helmet laws remain a patchwork — 26 states don't require helmets for adults at all.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: As e-bikes become mainstream, the injury toll — especially among kids — is a growing public health concern. Clearer regulations, helmet mandates, and rider education are urgently needed to keep young riders safe.
