MADISON, Wis. – Over the past four years, electric bike and scooter use has been rising, and with that increase has come a surge in injuries in Wisconsin, especially among children.

E-bikes and e-scooters are powered by a rechargeable battery and a small electric motor, and they can reach speeds of up to 28 miles per hour, which is twice the speed of a pedal bike. E-tricycles are a version of e-bikes, and despite having three wheels, they can still reach high speeds, which is especially problematic for young, inexperienced riders. Another new electronic device on the market is the e-moto — a motorcycle or dirt bike powered by an electric motor and battery rather than a gasoline engine.

From 2022 to 2025 in Wisconsin, the number of reported crashes involving an e-bike and a motor vehicle increased by 194%. The number of injuries involving an e-bike and a motor vehicle has increased by 171%. The number of crashes involving an e-scooter and a motor vehicle has increased by 260%, and the number of injuries involving an e-scooter and a motor vehicle has increased by 240%, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation analyzed by the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission.

Experts believe that e-bikes and e-scooters can be dangerous for children if used improperly or if safety measures are not followed, and data supports this. In Wisconsin in 2025, riders younger than 20 years old accounted for 44% of individuals involved in e-scooter crashes, compared to 18% in 2024. For e-bicycle crashes, 43% were younger than 20, compared with 12% in 2024, according to state DOT.

The worrying trend in injuries is prompting growing concern among law enforcement, safety experts and doctors.

“This is a looming crisis, as key stakeholders are all seeing the same dangerous trends,” said Lt. Chad O’Neil, Stoughton Police Department, and co-chair of the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission’s law enforcement subgroup. “We felt it was time to come together to issue a wake-up call for parents and explore solutions, because it will take a team effort to solve it.”

The Dane County Traffic Safety Commission, representing 53 organizations across the county, including UW Health Kids, Wisconsin Bike Federation and Safe Communities, is raising awareness and educating parents about this critical health issue.

Members of the commission believe this is a complex issue with three main challenges. First, there is confusion about the capabilities and differences among e-scooters, e-bikes and e-motos, including how fast they can go. Second, there is confusion about which helmet ensures safety, and third, there is limited understanding of regulations, which vary from community to community. For example, regulations specify which e-devices are legally allowed on sidewalks or public streets, according to O’Neil.

 Data on incidents and injuries involving e-scoters, e-bikes and e-motos is also likely underreported because the current data system collects information only from crashes involving motor vehicles. Also, when law enforcement personnel document accidents, the system does not specify the type of bike involved. An officer would have to specifically indicate an electronic device in the crash report, which is not always done, he said.

 “We needed to look specifically at officers’ reports statewide to get current data from the past four years on e-scooters, e-bikes and e-motos,” O’Neil said. “We know there are more, but even with the data we found, we are still seeing an alarming increase.”

E-scooters and e-bikes are popular, especially among kids, because of their speed and the sense of independence they offer, and kids seem to know more about these devices than adults, according to Rishelle Eithun, pediatric injury prevention program manager, UW Health Kids.

“More than once, I’ve heard kids say they know how fast their bike goes, but their parents don’t,” said Eithun, who is also a mom of two adolescent boys. “I’ve also heard many stories from colleagues and parents about seeing kids go very fast down the street without a helmet.”

 Rules and regulations can be complicated, but taking safety precautions will make a significant difference, she said. 

Eithun recommends parents use the following questions as a guide:

  • Does your child know the traffic rules?
  • Does the device fit your child’s size and ability?
  • Does your child wear the proper safety gear?
  • Where can your child legally ride the electric device?

“The faster the device goes, the more protection the head and face need,” Eithun said. “So, bottom line, wearing the right helmet is the most important safety tip.”

Doctors are seeing a rise in cases that reflects the crash data. UW Health started tracking more specific e-device data in 2025. There were just six emergency department visits at American Family Children’s Hospital in April and May of 2025 for e-scooters or e-devices among patients younger than 18, and in April and May of 2026, there were 35, a 483% increase, according to Dr. Nicholas Kuehnel, emergency medicine physician, UW Health Kids.

Injuries from e-scooters, e-bikes and e-motos can affect a child’s future. These accidents often require immediate medical evaluation for head injuries, fractures or severe bleeding, as higher speeds can result in more severe trauma than on traditional bikes or scooters. Surgery and long rehabilitation processes or permanent damage can occur, he said.

“In addition to the significant increase in injuries, we are also seeing that many of these patients are not riding in a safe manner, by not wearing helmets or being distracted by their phones,” said Kuehnel, who is also an associate professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. “There is a real concern in the medical community that this is going to get much worse if safety messages aren’t reaching families.”

Important information for parents can be found here, and from the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission.