Global rise in e-bike and e-scooter injuries prompts safety warnings

Public health officials, law enforcement, and medical experts are raising alarms regarding a sharp increase in injuries among children and adolescents using e-bikes and e-scooters.

In the United States, AAA reports that over half of Michigan adults have observed children riding these devices without helmets. Medical data indicates a significant rise in pediatric emergency department visits, with one study noting a 7.5-fold increase in injuries between 2023 and 2026. The Virginia Beach Police Department has launched safety initiatives at local schools to educate families on traffic laws and the necessity of protective gear.

In the Balkan region, experts are also addressing the risks. In Zadar, Croatia, a panel of medical and law enforcement professionals is discussing the severity of head and limb injuries caused by electric scooters. Similarly, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, academic experts have urged parents to opt for traditional bicycles or scooters instead of electric models, citing the high speeds these devices can reach and the ease with which speed limiters can be bypassed.