Biking is a great way for kids to get to and from school, as well as to get around town. Biking is good exercise and provides children with a sense of freedom. Now, electric bikes (e-bikes) of all sizes and speeds are growing in popularity.

E-bikes look like regular bikes. However, they are equipped with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery, allowing them to reach speeds of up to 30 mph. Because they can travel much faster than traditional bicycles, the risk of injury is generally greater when using e-bikes than when riding non-motorized bikes.

Types of E-Bikes

It is important to note that the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that children ages 9-12 should not operate any product that travels faster than 10 mph.

As the use of e-bikes and other “micromobility” products (such as electric scooters and hoverboards) has increased, so has the number of injuries associated with these products. In fact, the number of emergency department visits associated with e-bikes and other more than doubled between 2017 (34,000 visits) and 2021 (77,200 emergency room visits).