South Florida sees surge in e-bike injuries among kids
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
As more people are riding e-bikes in South Florida, serious crashes and injuries are on the rise.
Why it matters: Emergency rooms are seeing the impact firsthand and local governments are trying to address the growing safety problem.
Threat level: Memorial Healthcare System saw a 178% increase in e-bike and e-scooter related injuries from 2024 to 2025.
- In 2025, 44% of the injuries involved patients under 18.
- Doctors at Nicklaus Children's Hospital say they have seen a "significant increase" in patients arriving with traumatic injuries.
Catch up quick: E-bikes travel faster and weigh more than conventional bicycles, making them more difficult for inexperienced riders to control and increasing the risk of serious injuries.
- E-bikes use electric motors that amplify a rider's pedaling effort. Some models include a throttle that propels the bike without pedaling.
- Models for kids are electronically limited to about 20 mph, but some users illegally bypass the limits, making crashes and injuries more likely.
No federal law regulates e-bike use, leaving states and local governments to set their own rules.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill last month that would have created statewide e-bike rules, including a 10 mph speed limit within 50 feet of a pedestrian. He said the legislation would lead to "surveillance" by local governments.
- The city of Fort Lauderdale plans to introduce an ordinance to regulate e-bikes and scooters after residents expressed concerns over reckless riding, especially among teens.
- An e-bike rider was arrested after he posted a video on social media of himself riding recklessly on Las Olas Boulevard while fleeing from a Fort Lauderdale police officer.
Helmet laws also vary widely.
- In Florida, only riders under 16 are required to wear one.
Worthy of your time: The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers a list of tips to prevent e-bike injuries, including wearing a helmet every time and putting phones and headphones away while riding.
The bottom line: While e-bikes make it easier for people to get around, doctors and safety officials say riders — especially teens and children — should treat them with more caution and respect than traditional bicycles.