MADISON, Wis. — UW Health and other safety organizations are warning parents about a dramatic increase in injuries involving electric bikes and scooters, particularly among children and teenagers.
According to data analyzed by the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission, crashes involving e-bikes and motor vehicles in Wisconsin increased 194% between 2022 and 2025, while injuries rose 171%. E-scooter crashes increased 260%, with injuries climbing 240% during the same period.
Doctors say they’re also seeing the trend firsthand.
UW Health reported that emergency department visits at American Family Children’s Hospital involving patients younger than 18 riding e-bikes, e-scooters or similar electric devices jumped from six during April and May of 2025 to 35 during the same period this year – a 483% increase.
Dr. Nicholas Kuehnel, an emergency medicine physician with UW Health Kids, said many injured riders were not wearing helmets or were distracted while riding.
Safety experts say the devices can reach speeds of up to 28 miles per hour, making crashes significantly more dangerous than those involving traditional bicycles.
The Dane County Traffic Safety Commission is urging parents to ensure children understand traffic laws, wear properly fitted helmets, ride age-appropriate devices, and know where electric bikes and scooters are legally allowed to operate.