Shriners Children’s Warns Parents, Children of Nationwide Increase in E-bike Injuries

SPRINGFIELD — Shriners Children’s doctors all the way from Hawaii to New England are reporting an increase in the number of patients they are seeing due to e-bike and electric dirt bike injuries. They warn that, due to the speed these bikes can travel, many injuries are more significant than they would see on a regular bicycle.

“We see fractures and dislocations at our clinic multiple times a week after accidents on e-bikes,” Shriners Children’s New England Medical Director Dr. Lael Luedtke said. “We’ve seen reports from health systems across the country about traumatic head injuries, which can unfortunately lead to death. It’s crucial to always wear a helmet, be aware of your surroundings, and avoid distractions. Some cities and parks across the country have age minimums for e-bikes, but some allow children of all ages. Parents should be alert to the danger and take precautions.”

Research shows that injuries from e-bikes have increased exponentially over the past five years, and the sales of these devices continue to rise year by year. E-bikes can reach up to 20 to 28 mph, which leads to harsher injuries because of how fast they are traveling. While a regular bicycle has only pedals to power it forward, an e-bike has an actual electric motor that boosts its velocity.

Dr. Byron Izuka, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Shriners Children’s Hawaii, said the injuries he’s seeing don’t just involve falls and unexpected potholes, but also cars. Traveling at high speeds creates more opportunities for a child on an e-bike to collide with a fast-moving car without being able to stop or react in time.

“We’ve seen a dramatic rise in e-bike use in Hawaii, and with it, a troubling increase in serious injuries and even deaths,” Izuka said. “These bikes can go as fast as a car in a school zone, yet kids are riding them with no helmets, no training, and no sense of the risks. It’s a dangerous combination. These are not toys — they’re powerful vehicles that demand respect and responsibility.”

Both Izuka and Luedtke stressed it takes different skills to drive an e-bike than a regular bike. While the best practice would be for a child to ride a normal bicycle, any parents who are giving their child an e-bike should sit down with them and run through safety tips before they hit the roads and sidewalks.