Keeping Kids Safe as E-Bike Use Grows

As e-bike use becomes more common, injuries among children and teens are rising as well. Health and safety experts say many of these injuries are preventable with greater awareness and simple safety steps.

Trauma data from Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital campuses in Utah shows a 66.7% increase in e-bike injuries among kids and teens over the past year. Hospitals are treating injuries in children as young as 8. High speeds and lack of helmet use are common factors in serious crashes, some requiring hospital care, intensive treatment, or surgery.

This trend is not limited to one region. The American College of Surgeons reports that head injuries are the most common injuries in e-bike crashes nationwide, yet only about one-third of injured riders were wearing helmets.

Why this matters to community health

Preventing childhood injuries and illnesses is a top priority in the communities Intermountain serves, based on what families, educators, and local organizations share and what the data tells us in our  Community Health Needs Assessments.

In response, Intermountain Children’s Health focuses on education, awareness, and early action to help reduce preventable injuries. As part of that effort, Intermountain Children’s Health offers safety guidance for families on its website, including information about proper helmet use to help reduce the risk of injury.

What families should know now

“With e-bikes becoming more common, it’s important for families to understand the risks,” said Michelle Jamison, community health program manager for Intermountain Children’s Health. “Some e-bikes can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. The faster a rider is going, the greater the force in a crash, which increases the risk of serious injury.”

Jamison said simple steps can make a meaningful difference. Wearing a helmet every ride, understanding how an e-bike operates, and knowing local laws and safety rules can all help prevent injuries.

E-bike laws vary by location. For example:

• Colorado: No one under the age of 16 may ride a Class 3 e-bike, unless they are a passenger. Anyone on a Class 3 electric bike who is under the age of 18 (operator or passenger) must wear a helmet.
• Nevada: E-bikes are treated as bicycles, and riders must follow traffic laws such as stopping at stop signs and red lights. Clark County and Boulder City have adopted speed and location restrictions and require minors to wear helmets.
• Utah, Montana, and Idaho: Helmet requirements are in place, particularly for younger riders.

Law enforcement and health experts continue to encourage families to follow e-bike safety guidelines.

“E-bikes offer convenience and fun,” said Katherine Stokes, injury prevention coordinator at Primary Children’s Hospital. “But without proper safety steps, they can pose real risks, especially for kids.”