Published: October 12, 2026

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

For a kid hoping to receive an e-bike or e-scooter this holiday season, the appeal is pretty simple: They’re fast, fun and can offer a little more freedom.

But for parents, there’s a little bit more to think about.

As e-bikes and e-scooters have become more popular, doctors are seeing more kids come into emergency rooms after crashes.

“I have seen more e-bike and e-scooter injuries in the past few months than I have in the past few years,” said Naomi C. Warnick, M.D., pediatric emergency medicine physician, Norton Children’s Hospital.

Those injuries can range from road rash and broken bones to serious head injuries.

That trend isn’t limited to Louisville. Children’s hospitals across the country are reporting major upticks in traumatic e-bike and e-scooter injuries.

“There’s a lot more of them and kids are getting hurt more frequently on them,” Dr. Warnick said. “So, it’s really important to take these extra safety precautions.”

For anyone considering giving one as a gift, first consider whether the child is ready to ride.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends children be at least age 16 to ride e-scooters, which can travel 15 to 20 mph.

E-bikes are a little more complicated.

The AAP recommends children younger than age 12 not ride them at all. For kids ages 12 to 15, parents should consider their child’s maturity and riding skills, and stick with a Class 1 e-bike if they’re ready.

A Class 1 e-bike gives riders a boost while they’re pedaling and stops providing that assistance at 20 mph. For teens 16 and older, the AAP recommends starting with a Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike. Class 2 bikes can use a throttle and also reach 20 mph. Class 3 bikes can reach 28 mph or more.

Whatever they’re riding, a helmet is a must.

The AAP recommends kids wear one every time they ride.

It should fit snugly, sit level on their head and cover their forehead. For faster e-bikes, look for a helmet designed for higher speeds.

Head injuries aren’t the only concern. E-bike crashes can cause broken bones, along with facial and internal injuries. With e-scooters, cuts and fractures are among the most common injuries.

Protective gear can help avoid some of those injuries. Kids riding should wear closed-toe shoes, knee pads and elbow pads.

Then there’s actually learning to ride the thing.

E-bikes and e-scooters can pick up speed quickly, so kids need to get a feel for accelerating, turning and — maybe most important — stopping. New riders should practice away from traffic first to master those skills.

Kids also need to watch what’s in front of their wheels. Potholes, gravel, rocks and other debris can send a child off balance, particularly on a scooter with smaller wheels.

In addition, some of the same basic bike rules apply, including keeping both hands on the handlebars and putting away phones, earbuds and headphones. E-bike riders also should ride with traffic, stop at intersections and look both ways before entering a street.

“I have seen more e-bike and e-scooter injuries in the past few months than I have in the past few years.”

—Naomi C. Warnick, M.D.

Bike lanes are the better option when they’re available. Before a child starts taking off on their own, an adult should ride along to see how they handle traffic and intersections.

Another way parents can help is by setting an example.

Dr. Warnick said adults should follow the same safety rules they set for their kids, including wearing a helmet every time they ride.

If an e-bike or e-scooter makes the holiday list this year, Dr. Warnick hopes the safety gear and a few ground rules come with it. It’s a conversation she’d rather parents have at home than after an injury brings their child to the emergency room.

“Because we’re a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center here at Norton Children’s Hospital, we see some really bad injuries,” Dr. Warnick said. “And I want to prevent that from happening to your child.”