A Growing Trend of Serious Injuries

“There are many days when we see multiple fractures from these types of devices in a single day,” Dr. Evans said. 

His colleague, Dr. Hayda, adds, “What comes to the hospital are those that are major injuries.” 

These devices may feel familiar, like a bike or scooter, but with motor assistance, they travel faster and create new risks. In particular:

• Wrist and leg fractures are among the most common injuries in adults riding e-bikes.

• Among children and adolescents riding e-scooters, wrist injuries dominate as the most frequent complaint.

• The design of e-scooters—low to the ground, small wheels—makes uneven pavement or cracks especially dangerous. 

“The wheels, when you’re so low to the ground… they’re not able to adjust if you hit a crack in the sidewalk,” said Dr. Schiller

Why the Danger?

Here are key factors putting riders at higher risk:

• Speed and momentum: E-bikes and e-scooters accelerate faster than traditional devices, making falls harder to control.

• Less protection: Many riders don’t treat these rides with the same caution as driving or conventional biking (e.g., helmet use, protective gear).

• Poor surface conditions: Uneven sidewalks, cracks, and road debris pose larger threats for small-wheeled devices like e-scooters.

• Unexpected handling: Riders accustomed to conventional bikes may be surprised by the throttle response, turning radius, and braking dynamics of motorized devices. 

“Go to an empty parking lot. See what the throttle feels like… make sure you understand how it turns because it’s not just a bicycle. It’s not just a scooter. It has a motor. It gets going pretty fast,” Dr. Hayda said.

What This Means for You

At University Orthopedics, we believe prevention is just as important as treatment. Whether you’re using an e-bike to commute or your teenager is riding an e-scooter for fun, follow these safety tips:

• Wear a helmet every time: And make sure it’s certified and properly fitted. Head injuries are among the most serious we treat.

• Test in a safe area first: If you’re new to the device, find an empty parking lot or quiet street to get comfortable with throttle, brakes, turning, and handling.

• Inspect your path: Avoid cracked sidewalks, uneven pavement, loose gravel, and heavy traffic when possible. Small wheels are especially vulnerable.

• Treat it like a motor vehicle: Respect speed, maintain control, signal your turns/intentions.

• Supervise younger riders: For kids using e-scooters in particular, extra caution is required: ensure they understand the device’s power, limitations, and the environment.

• Consider protective gear: Beyond a helmet, wrist guards, knee pads, or reinforced gloves may help prevent fractures common in these accidents.

When to Seek Help

If you or someone you know falls from an e-bike or e-scooter and experiences any of the following, seek medical evaluation immediately:

• Intense pain, swelling, or deformity of a limb

• Inability to bear weight or use a limb as before

• Head injury, loss of consciousness, or confusion

• Persistent numbness, tingling, or weakness in a limb

• Any injury that seems “off” or doesn’t improve within a short time

At University Orthopedics, our trauma-trained surgeons and care teams at both the local hospitals and our OrthoDirect locations are equipped to evaluate and treat fractures, joint injuries, head and spinal trauma that may result from these kinds of accidents.

A Word from Our Surgeons

“The reality is you have to know how to use these devices and actually to some extent be trained how to use them appropriately,” Dr. Evans said.

“If you’re going to let your child ride on an e-bike or scooter, you have to take the necessary precautions… wear a helmet, try to keep them out of areas where there is not even flat ground,” said Dr Schiller.

Final Thoughts

E-bikes and e-scooters offer exciting, efficient mobility—but with that convenience comes responsibility. Injuries are on the rise, and our team at University Orthopedics is here not only to repair damage, but also to educate riders on how to stay safe.
Ride smart. Ride safe. And if you need us, we’re ready