Youth E-Bike Injuries Have Surged Over 300%
As e-bikes have grown in popularity, related injuries among young people have jumped more than 300%, according to new research. The findings, presented at the AAOS 2026 Annual Meeting, highlight an emerging public safety issue tied directly to a shift in consumer mobility habits.
The study, "E-Bike Orthopaedic Injuries Amongst Pediatric and Adolescent Patients at a Level 1 Trauma Center," was presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' 2026 meeting. It revealed that from 2019 to 2023, e-bike accidents involving children in San Diego increased by over 300%, leading to a rise in severe injuries requiring surgery and hospitalization. Physicians are now seeing injuries more akin to motorcycle accidents than traditional bicycle falls. Due to the higher speeds of e-bikes, which can reach up to 28 mph, young riders are sustaining more life-threatening head trauma, internal organ damage, and complex fractures. The increased weight and velocity of the bikes lead to higher-energy impacts during collisions. A significant factor in the severity of these incidents is the lack of protective gear. One study analyzing national data found that where helmet status was reported, 97.3% of injured pediatric e-bike riders were not wearing one at the time of their accident. For comparison, 82.1% of pedal-cyclists in accidents were unhelmeted. The regulatory landscape for young riders is a patchwork of state and local laws, as there is no federal age requirement for operating an e-bike. Regulations often depend on the e-bike's "class," which dictates its top speed and whether it has a throttle. For instance, Class 3 e-bikes, which can assist up to 28 mph, are typically restricted to riders aged 16 or older in many states. This trend is part of a broader rise in micromobility accidents. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that injuries from devices like e-bikes and e-scooters have increased by an average of 23% annually since 2017. In 2022 alone, e-bikes were linked to an estimated 24,400 emergency room visits. The influx of injuries is straining pediatric trauma centers. At Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, e-bike incidents surpassed falls and motor vehicle collisions to become the number one cause of trauma visits in 2025.
