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E-bike crashes cause surge in brain and spinal injuries across US
The increasing use of electric bikes and scooters in the US has led to a sharp rise in serious brain and spinal cord injuries, especially in large cities like New York. Research shows that trauma cases have risen fivefold in five years and that one in three patients suffered traumatic brain injury.
The growing popularity of e-bikes and scooters in the US has caused a striking rise in severe injuries seen in emergency departments. A study conducted in New York found that brain and spinal cord trauma from these crashes is rising rapidly among both riders and pedestrians.
According to a statement by NYU Langone Health, medical emergencies involving electric vehicles account for about 7 percent of trauma patients admitted to Bellevue Hospital in New York. The study published in the journal Neurosurgery revealed that e-bike-related trauma cases, which were under 10 percent in 2018, exceeded 50 percent by 2023.
Brain injury in one-third of patients
Traumatic brain injury was detected in one-third of the 914 patients examined in the study. More than two-thirds of patients were admitted to hospital, with around 30 percent requiring intensive care. About half of the accidents resulted from a collision with a car or truck.
Dr. Hannah Weiss, a resident physician at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said, "Micromobility injuries are causing serious trauma requiring brain and spine surgery on a scale we haven't seen before." Weiss noted that they are increasingly seeing these injuries in the dense urban environment.
Helmet use very low, alcohol impact high
Researchers found that fewer than one-third of riders wore helmets, and this was associated with a "significantly higher" rate of brain and facial injuries. In addition, 20 percent of patients tested positive for alcohol, which was linked to more severe head trauma and lower helmet use.
Among pedestrians hit by electric vehicles, the rate of brain injury was almost twice as high as that of riders.
Similar concerns in Detroit
Police officials in the Detroit metropolitan area also report an increase in e-bike collisions. Dr. Robert Sherwin, an emergency physician at Detroit Medical Center, said they encounter all types of injuries from minor scrapes to major trauma in e-bike cases.
Sherwin said, "These Class 3 bikes are actually more like motor vehicles. They can reach speeds up to 45 kilometers per hour, and many riders don't expect that and may not be experienced."
States tighten regulations
Amid growing concerns nationwide, states have also begun tightening regulations. A new law that took effect in New Jersey this year requires e-bikes to be registered. In addition, drivers must be at least 15 years old and have a valid driver's license or e-bike license.
Associate Professor Paul P. Huang of NYU Grossman School of Medicine stressed that "urban infrastructure must continue to evolve to keep pace with the rapid rise of e-bikes and scooters." Huang added that the impact of protected bike lanes, helmet programs and speed enforcement on reducing brain and spinal surgeries needs to be measured.
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