Youth injuries from e-bikes and e-scooters at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles surged from 33 annually in 2019 to 124 in 2025, a nearly fourfold increase, according to research presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 National Conference & Exhibition. Data presented by Dr. Bianca Edison, an attending physician in the hospital’s orthopedic center, shows that approximately 40% of the 379 young riders treated over seven years suffered head injuries.
E-bike injuries outpace e-scooters in severity
Concussions occurred in 17% of e-bike riders compared to 8.6% of e-scooter riders, and fractures were seen in 48% of e-bike patients versus 36% for those on scooters.
The disparity increases for the most severe cases. Approximately 26% of e-bike patients required surgery, while only 9.7% of e-scooter patients did. Hospital admission rates followed a similar trend, with 27% of e-bike riders admitted compared to 10% of e-scooter riders. Using the Pediatric Trauma Score, investigators classified 8.8% of e-bike injuries as potentially life-threatening, nearly triple the 2.8% rate for e-scooters.
Loss of control drives most youth accidents
The average age of injured riders was 14.2 years, and 70% were boys. The research found that 71% of cases resulted from an unprovoked fall or loss of control rather than collisions with other riders or motor vehicles. Injuries were most common in the extremities, with arm and hand injuries appearing in 53% of patients and leg injuries in 46%.
Dr. Edison stated that preventing these injuries requires safety strategies that account for the specific risks of each device and their use in public, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
California laws and the impact of speed
The physics of a fall change with the speed of the device. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) notes that e-scooters can reach 15 to 20 mph, and the organization advises that children under 16 should not operate them. E-bikes vary by class: Class 1 and 2 models provide assistance up to 20 mph, while Class 3 models reach 28 mph.
California law mandates specific age and safety requirements:
- E-scooters: Riders must be at least 16 with a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license; those 17 and under must wear a helmet.
- Class 1 and 2 E-bikes: Riders 17 and under must wear a helmet.
- Class 3 E-bikes: Riders must be 16 or older and wear a helmet regardless of age.
Researchers found that 53% of injured patients were riding illegally under these rules, including 66% of e-scooter riders. However, after adjusting for age, device type, and helmet use, legal compliance did not correlate with less severe injuries, suggesting that following the law alone may not offset the risks of high speed and loss of control.
National trends in micromobility emergency visits
The Los Angeles data mirrors a broader national trend. A Consumer Product Safety Commission report from April estimated that emergency room visits related to micromobility products rose from 37,300 in 2017 to 149,100 in 2024. The agency recorded 533 deaths during that period, 310 of which involved e-bikes. In San Diego County, 865 e-bike emergency visits were logged in 2024.
Safety standards for youth riders
The AAP’s guidance for families advises against e-bike use for children under 12. For those aged 12 to 15, the organization recommends only Class 1 models. The group emphasizes the use of a properly fitted, CPSC-approved helmet, specifically one designed for higher speeds, stating, “No helmet no ride!”
Youth Micromobility Injury Comparison
| Metric | E-Scooters | E-Bikes |
|---|---|---|
| Concussion Rate | 8.6% | 17% |
| Fracture Rate | 36% | 48% |
| Surgery Required | 9.7% | 26% |
| Hospital Admission | 10% | 27% |
| Life-Threatening (PTS) | 2.8% | 8.8% |
E-bikes cause more severe injuries than e-scooters
Which type of device is more dangerous for teens?
While e-scooters cause a higher volume of injuries (77% of cases in the study), e-bikes result in more severe outcomes, including higher rates of surgery and life-threatening injuries.
What are the different classes of e-bikes?
Class 1 and 2 e-bikes provide motor assistance up to 20 mph, whereas Class 3 models assist riders up to 28 mph, increasing the force of potential falls.
At what age can a child legally ride an e-scooter in California?
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, e-scooter riders must be at least 16 years old and possess a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s data shows that e-bike-related deaths accounted for 310 of the 533 total micromobility deaths recorded between 2017 and 2024.
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