Electric bikes spark a rising ER trauma tide, doctors warn
A study and reports show a sharp rise in injuries from pedal-powered and electric bikes and scooters treated in NYC ERs, with e-bike–related trauma increasing from under 10% of trauma admissions in 2018 to over 50% by 2023. About one-third of the 914 patients studied sustained traumatic brain injuries; helmet use was under 33%, and 20% tested positive for alcohol. With e-bikes capable of up to 28 mph, crashes pose greater risk to riders and pedestrians alike, who suffer brain injuries at nearly double the rate of riders. Researchers call for safer bike lanes, helmet programs, and enforcement, and some states (like New Jersey) have enacted registration and licensing requirements to curb risk as micromobility grows.
