Electric bike and scooter safety tips every parent should know

E-bikes and e-scooters are showing up everywhere, in neighborhoods, on trails and in school parking lots. They’re convenient, fun and increasingly popular with kids and teens. But they also come with additional risks compared to traditional bikes and scooters.

Emergency room visits related to e-bikes and e-scooters reached 138,500 in 2024, up from 101,600 just two years earlier. Injuries among children under 15 more than doubled in that same period. These aren’t rare accidents. They’re happening in communities just like ours.

Understanding the risks, choosing the right gear and building safe riding habits can make a real difference. Here’s what every parent needs to know before their child rides.

Why e-bikes and e-scooters are more dangerous

E-bikes and e-scooters may look like the bikes and scooters kids have always ridden. But they’re not the same, and that difference matters.

Speed is one of the biggest factors. Many e-bikes can reach 20 to 28 miles per hour, far faster than a child can pedal on a traditional bike. Higher speeds mean less time to react, more force on impact and a greater chance of serious injury. Kids are still developing the judgment and reaction time needed to navigate traffic safely. At higher speeds, there’s less time to recognize a hazard and respond to it.

Weight is another issue. E-bikes are significantly heavier than traditional bikes, which makes them harder to control, especially for younger or smaller riders. If a child loses control, the weight of the device can make a fall much worse.

E-bikes and e-scooters also accelerate quickly and run quietly. Drivers and pedestrians may not hear them coming. That silence, combined with speed, can create dangerous situations at intersections and in busy areas.

Common injuries from e-bikes and e-scooters

When kids fall off an e-bike or e-scooter, they tend to fall hard. The most common injuries we see in the emergency department include head and facial trauma, broken arms and wrists and road rash from pavement impact. These aren’t minor scrapes. Some require imaging, surgery or extended recovery time.

“Head trauma is among the most serious injuries we treat. Something I always say to kids is, ‘We can fix broken bones and scrapes, but sometimes your brain isn't always as easy to fix’,” says Kayla Thompson, CRNP, a pediatric nurse practitioner at Mount Nittany Health.

For e-scooter riders specifically, broken arms and wrists are also very common. When a child starts to fall, the instinct is to reach out and catch themselves. At speed, that reflex can result in a fracture.

Younger and smaller riders face the greatest risk. They have less experience reading traffic, less physical strength to control a heavy device and less ability to anticipate how quickly things can go wrong. That combination makes supervision and safety gear non-negotiable.

Importance of wearing the right helmet

Helmet safety doesn’t stop with e-bikes. The same precautions apply to regular bicycles, scooters and anything else with wheels. A good rule for kids to remember is: any time they hop on something with wheels, the helmet goes on first. Reinforcing that habit across all types of riding helps make safety routine, not situational, and can go a long way in preventing serious injuries.

Only 45% of children who suffered significant trauma in an e-bike or e-scooter accident were wearing a helmet at the time of injury. That means more than half of seriously injured children had no head protection at all.

But here’s something many parents don’t know: not just any helmet will do.

Standard bicycle helmets are designed to protect a rider’s head at speeds up to 12 to 15 miles per hour. Many e-bikes travel at 20 miles per hour or more. At those speeds, a standard bike helmet may not provide adequate protection. Riders need a helmet specifically rated for higher speeds, ideally one with a chin guard for added facial protection.

"A properly fitted helmet rated for the speed of the device is the single most important piece of safety equipment your child can wear,” explains Kayla. “It's not optional. It's the one thing that gives us the best chance of keeping a bad situation from becoming a tragic one."

When choosing a helmet, look for one that:

• Fits snugly without being too tight
• Covers the forehead without tilting backward
• Has a chin strap that stays secure
• Meets safety standards for the speed class of the device
• Includes a chin guard for e-bike riders traveling at higher speeds

If your child’s helmet is ever involved in a crash, replace it immediately, even if it looks fine. Helmets are designed to absorb impact once. After that, the protection is compromised even when there’s no visible damage.

Battery safety: a risk often overlooked

Most parents think about helmets and pads when it comes to e-bike and e-scooter safety. Fewer think about what’s powering the device.

E-bikes and e-scooters run on lithium-ion batteries. When these batteries are damaged, counterfeit, improperly charged or exposed to extreme temperatures, they can enter a state called thermal runaway. This uncontrollable chain reaction can result in fire, toxic fumes or explosion. According to UL Standards and Engagement, 53% of e-bike owners don’t even know their device runs on a lithium-ion battery, and 44% of Americans are unaware of the risks these batteries carry.

Battery fires are not just a device problem. They are a home safety problem. Fires have been reported in bedrooms, garages, apartments and storage areas across Pennsylvania and the country, often starting overnight while a device charges unattended.

Kayla says battery safety deserves the same attention parents give to other household hazards. “We tell parents to lock up medications, cover electrical outlets and keep cleaning supplies out of reach. E-bike and e-scooter batteries should be on that same list. The risks are real, and the rules need to be clear before your child ever rides.”

To reduce the risk of a battery fire, parents should:

• Only use the charger that came with the device.
• Never charge an e-bike or e-scooter overnight or while sleeping.
• Charge in an open area away from flammable materials, not in a bedroom or closet.
• Never block a fire exit or hallway with a charging device.
• Inspect the battery regularly for swelling, damage or unusual odor.
• Avoid purchasing counterfeit or off-brand devices, especially from sellers who may not follow U.S. safety standards.
• Look for devices certified to UL safety standards when purchasing.

If a battery shows signs of damage or unusual heat, stop using the device immediately and contact the manufacturer. Do not attempt to repair or modify the battery yourself.

Keeping your child safe on every e-bike and e-scooter ride

E-bikes and e-scooters aren’t going anywhere. They’re fun, practical and a genuine part of how kids get around today. The goal isn’t to take that away. It’s to make sure every ride ends safely.

The good news is that most e-bike and e-scooter injuries are preventable. The right helmet, the right device, smart riding habits and a few clear family rules go a long way. Parents who stay informed and set expectations before the first ride give their kids the best chance of staying safe.