The growing popularity of electric bikes and scooters has led to lots of fun zipping around — and an increase in serious injuries.
Each year, over 20,000 people are injured while riding e-bikes, with 3,000 individuals requiring hospitalization, reports the American College of Surgeons. Also, e-bike injuries can be more severe than those related to traditional bikes. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counts e-bike injuries as motorcycle injuries.
The risk of injury is real, so much so that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids under 16 not operate or ride on motorized or e-scooters.
“Electric scooters and bikes can travel upwards of 20-25 mph. If anyone falls off a vehicle at that speed or runs into something, they’re going to get hurt,” said Kelly Litterst, RN, with Endeavor Health.
“The 2025 Illinois Rules of The Road say you must be 18 years of age or older to operate a low-speed electric scooter and 16 years of age for an e-bike, however we see a lot of children riding both devices every day,” she said. “Check the rules of your local municipality, as some do not allow either on the streets.”
Operating electric scooters and bikes incorrectly or not wearing protective gear like helmets and knee guards can lead to serious injuries such a broken bones, head and spinal cord trauma, and even death.
“Helmets are the best protection you can have while riding a scooter or bike, electric or not,” Litterst said. “Riders of all ages should wear a helmet, not just children.”
That said, it’s more than possible to enjoy a ride on an electric bike or scooter and return home unscathed, especially if riders follow these safety tips:
- Wear properly sized helmet, wrist, elbow, knee guards and closed-toed shoes. Helmets provide a 63-88% reduction in the risk of head, brain and severe brain injury.
- Use reflectors for visibility.
- Discourage multiple riders
- Limit distractions — no headphones or cellphones
- Always keep both hands on the handlebars and keep items off the handlebars
- Slow down and lean back when you ride over bumps
- Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Taking care to follow traffic rules will also help keep riders safe on electric scooters and bikes. Remember to:
- Look both ways at intersections or before crossing streets
- Obey traffic signals — yield at crosswalks and to pedestrians
- Signal when passing others using a bell or your voice
Have fun and avoid the emergency room! Take time to review the user manual and safety precautions before using an electric scooter or bike as well as following these safety tips.
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