Offering speed and ease of use, e-bikes and e-scooters have surged in popularity in recent years as a convenient mode of transportation.

“I was just at a retailers’ summit, and that was one of the main topics of conversation — e-bikes and where they’re headed,” said Chris Guyer, owner of Joyvagen Cycles in Cody. “They’re getting more popular and are what people are asking for.”

The demand is increasing across the board, including among children and teenagers. But while the vehicles look like a lot of fun, they come with a lot more responsibility and a higher risk of injury than people realize. 

“Increased velocity translates into increased energy transfer into the body when there is a crash, leading to more severe injuries,” said Shyla Arnold, Cody Regional Health Emergency Department clinical supervisor/RN.

There are many resources for families to understand the hazards and take necessary precautions to keep young riders safe.

What are they?

An e-bike is a bicycle with an electric motor that provides assistance, while an e-scooter is a stand-up scooter that relies solely on an electric motor and throttle. Lighter and less powerful than traditional gas-powered motorcycles, there are a broad range of battery-powered vehicles. 

“We’re seeing a lot more e-bike usage post-Covid,” Guyer said. “They’ve also gotten a lot better in the last five years. They’re a notably better ride and a lot more enjoyable.”

E-scooters are slim, stand-up vehicles that accelerate quickly and are fairly simple to operate. Many can reach speeds of 20 mph or more.

E-bikes are divided into three separate categories:  

A Class 1 bicycle includes a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases when the bike reaches 20 mph.

A Class 2 bicycle is equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bike. It is also not capable of providing assistance once the bike reaches 20 mph.

A Class 3 bicycle has a motor that gives assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and stops when the bike reaches 28 mph. It is equipped with a speedometer.

In Wyoming, Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on roads and multi-use paths where traditional bikes are permitted, while Class 3 e-bikes are restricted to roads. Riders must also be at least 16 to operate a Class 3 e-bike, and a helmet is required for anyone under 18. E-bikes do not require registration or a driver’s license in Wyoming. 

Guyer said the Class 1 is the most popular in this area. 

“When a lot of people look at buying a bike, they buy it because they want to ride a bicycle,” he added. “With an e-bike they want that feeling of riding a bicycle, they just want a little more assistance.” 

Not all bikes are created equal though, so Guyer recommends making sure the bike is serviceable and that it has a UL-certified battery.

“There’s a lot of consumer-direct e-bike brands,” he said. “Bike shops are moving away from servicing them because a lot of insurance carriers won’t cover shops that work on those bikes.” 

Are e-bikes and e-scooters safe for children?

In Cody, police officers have observed an increase in e-bike usage across all age groups, including youth. 

“These bikes definitely pose an increased risk, particularly when operated on sidewalks among pedestrians,” Cody Police Lt. Juston Wead said. “Most issues arise when riders do not adhere to traffic laws, such as failing to stop at stop signs or yield to oncoming traffic. Other issues arise at nighttime when riders do not have lighting devices on their bikes, making it difficult to be seen by others sharing the road or sidewalk. The City of Cody is currently exploring the possibility of creating a city ordinance to address these concerns.”

The increased speeds of e-bikes and e-scooters lead to more serious accidents when a crash occurs. The added weight makes them harder to control, and many young riders lack the necessary skills and maturity to navigate the increased risks associated with higher speeds, motor assistance and a lack of proper training.  

“Kids have the potential to be traveling at much higher speeds than on traditional bicycles and scooters, putting them at higher risk for more devastating high-energy trauma,” Arnold said. “Young kids are likely not going to know traffic rules and how to yield, which is very problematic when they are traveling on roads in traffic on these fast e-bikes and e-scooters.”

The worst happens when children or teens are hit by cars while riding on main roads and sidewalks. Injuries can also occur when they collide with other e-bike and e-scooter riders, crash into stationary objects or tumble over potholes or rocky surfaces.

Many ERs around the nation have seen a spike in visits related to e-bikes and e-scooters, especially among children and teens, but this isn’t the case so far at Cody Regional.  

Arnold said so far this year the hospital has seen two trauma patients related to e-scooter accidents, and one trauma patient related to an e-bicycle accident, although none were pediatric patients.

Bicycle accidents, however, remain a big reason as to why youths are seen at the ER, and the best defense for serious injury is nothing new.

“More children ages 5-14 are seen in emergency departments from bike injuries than any other sport,” Arnold said. “Helmets can reduce the risk of brain injury by 88%.”

There is no statewide minimum age requirement for e-scooters or Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 16 who are too young to have a driver’s license should not operate or ride on e-bikes or e-scooters.

For riders older than 16, the AAP offers the following safety tips:

Wear a helmet to prevent or reduce the severity of injuries. Wear closed-toe shoes. Wear protective gear like elbow and kneepads, and reflective gear at night. Start slowly to get used to a particular e-bike or e-scooter.Do not text while riding and use both hands to operate the e-bike or e-scooter. Avoid wearing earbuds to be more aware of the surroundings. Do not ride e-bikes or e-scooters on sidewalks as it may put pedestrians at risk of injury as well as riders.