A spike in e-bike and e-scooter injuries has health care workers, like Bill McQuilken sounding the alarm.
McQuilken is the trauma prevention coordinator at Lehigh Valley Health Network, Part of Jefferson Health.
“So, when we look at our pediatric trauma data and we add our e-bikes, our e-scooters, some of the ATV things that’s 10 percent of our pediatric population. That’s huge,” said McQuilken.
Under Pennsylvania law, you have to be at least 16 to ride an e-bike on state roads and highways. You also cannot go faster than 20 miles per hour.
“Well, we know people are driving more than 20 miles per hour, they’re buying e-bikes, they’re breaking the codes, they’re making them go faster, so they’re like driving little motorcycles on the road,” said McQuilken.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Doctor Joshua Rice said some injuries are more severe.
“So, especially head, neck and facial injuries, more closely mimic motorcycle accidents rather than classic bike accidents for kids,” said Dr. Rice.
And can have long-lasting effects.
“Some kids after severe head injuries never fully regain cognitive function which is scary,” said Dr. Rice.
He said helmets are non-negotiable.
“It’s concerning to me that only about a third of the kids who come in with injuries, with e-scooters are wearing helmets and about half the kids who come in with e-bike injuries are wearing helmets,” said Dr. Rice.
He said to also not ride on roads with cars to make for a safer experience.