Electric- or gas-powered bikes pose higher trauma risk for children than pedal bicycles

Children and teens who ride electric- or gas-powered bikes are at higher risk of trauma or death when involved in collisions as compared to those riding pedal-assisted bicycles, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 National Conference & Exhibition in San Diego Oct. 2-6. 

 In the abstract, "Comparison of Bikes, E-Bikes, and Gas-Powered Cycle Injuries in the United States: A National Review from 2005–2024," researchers analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) to investigate injuries and deaths in the pediatric population. 

 The authors analyzed incidents involving patients age 17 and younger, following a total 134,426 cases involving pedal-assist bicycles, 305 e-bikes, and 1,721 gas-powered cycle-related injuries over the 20-year span. Gas-powered bikes led to the most hospital admissions followed closely by e-bikes. 

 In the pediatric trauma setting, electronic bicycles are becoming increasingly common. The goal of this research was to better inform parents when buying electric assist powered bicycles and adequately portray the risk of injury in each type." 

Seth Weir, DO, a third-year general surgery resident, abstract author

Most patients were white males who were treated and released from the hospital. The most common type of injury for pedal-assisted bikes was contusion or abrasion, as opposed to e-bikes in which fractures were more common. In all three types of bike incidents, patients most often reported injuries to the head as opposed to other parts of the body, with a breakdown of e-bikes 20%, gas-powered cycles 16.6%, and pedal-assist bicycles 15.8%. 

The highest percentage of trauma-related deaths were related to electric bicycles, according to the research. E-bikes also led to the second-highest trauma-related admission rate when comparing the three bicycle types. 

 The researchers suggest that although hospital admission and fatalities are rare, there is a need for regulation to prevent harm. They recommend strategies such as requiring a driver's license or regulating the speed at which bikes are able to go for pediatric age groups.