The Silent Danger: E-Scooters and E-Bikes Are Tripling Fracture Rates Among Young People

Question: Why has the use of e-bikes and e-scooters increased so much in recent years?

Answer:
In recent years, what we call "micromobility" transportation methods—especially electric bicycles (e-bikes) and e-scooters—have become extremely widespread. The main reasons are that they are practical, economical, and environmentally friendly alternatives. Particularly in large cities, they are increasingly seen as a solution to traffic congestion.

Question: Has there also been an increase in injuries associated with these vehicles?

Answer:
Yes, and the increase is quite striking. According to a study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2026 meeting, e-bike accidents among children and adolescents have increased by more than 300%.

More importantly, the rise is not only in the number of injuries, but also in their severity.

Question: What do scientific studies tell us about this issue?

Answer:
Recent studies show that the use of e-scooters and e-bikes has not only increased, but has also changed the injury profile associated with transportation-related trauma.

Large-scale analyses have shown that in e-scooter accidents:

1 in every 4 patients sustains a fracture

Approximately 40% involve upper extremity injuries

More than 40% involve head and facial trauma

In a clinical study published in 2025:

Nearly 30% of patients required surgical treatment

Large database analyses demonstrated that:

E-bike injuries increased by 293%

E-scooter injuries increased by 88%

In addition, in our study titled "A New Etiological Cause for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: E-Scooter," we demonstrated that e-scooter use is not limited to fractures alone, but may also lead to severe ligament injuries of the knee.

The key point highlighted in our study was this:
👉 The sudden rotational forces and uncontrolled falling mechanisms occurring during e-scooter accidents may create a biomechanical pattern very similar to classic sports-related anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

In other words, we are no longer seeing ACL injuries only on sports fields, but increasingly during routine urban transportation as well.

Question: Why do e-bike and e-scooter accidents lead to more serious injuries?

Answer:
There are several major reasons:

These vehicles can reach much higher speeds than conventional bicycles

In many regions, no driver's license is required

Users—especially young individuals—often lack sufficient riding experience

They share the same environment with both vehicles and pedestrians

As a result, these accidents often involve high-energy trauma rather than simple falls.

Question: What are the most common orthopedic injuries you see?

Answer:
The most common injuries include:

Arm and leg fractures

Intra-articular fractures

Ligament injuries

Soft tissue injuries

Studies show that e-bike accidents increase the risk of extremity injuries by nearly fourfold. In addition, the number of fractures is significantly higher compared to conventional bicycle accidents.

Question: Are e-scooter accidents similar?

Answer:
Yes—in some ways, they may even be riskier because:

Maintaining balance is more difficult

Small wheels are more affected by uneven surfaces

Protective equipment use is very low

As a result, we frequently encounter:

Wrist fractures

Elbow and shoulder injuries

Knee trauma

Question: Is there a difference between e-bikes and conventional bicycles?

Answer:
Yes, there are important differences.

E-bike accidents are associated with:

More fractures

More extremity injuries

Conventional bicycle accidents are associated with:

More head trauma

To summarize simply:
👉 Conventional bicycles → more head injuries
👉 E-bikes / e-scooters → more fractures and surgeries

Question: How are these injuries usually treated?

Answer:
Unfortunately, many of these injuries do not heal with simple treatment alone. A considerable proportion of patients require:

Surgical treatment

Hospitalization

Long-term physical therapy and rehabilitation

These accidents should therefore not be viewed as "minor falls."

Question: Does helmet use really make a difference?

Answer:
Absolutely. Studies clearly show that:

The risk of head injury is significantly higher in riders who do not wear helmets

Helmet use tends to be lower among conventional bicycle riders, who also experience more head trauma

However, the majority of e-scooter and e-bike users still do not regularly use protective equipment.

Question: Why are children and adolescents at greater risk?

Answer:
Because:

Speed control is often inadequate

Balance and reflex development are not fully mature

Traffic experience is limited

Protective equipment use is low

As a result, younger users tend to experience more frequent and more severe injuries.

Question: What would you recommend to families and young riders?

Answer:
Completely banning these vehicles is not realistic, but safe use is essential:

Helmets should always be worn

Knee and elbow pads are recommended

Riders should behave as if they are operating a motor vehicle in traffic

Nighttime visibility should be increased

Age restrictions should be respected

Question: What preventive measures should be considered in the future?

Answer:
This has now become not just an individual issue, but a broader public health concern.

Important questions that need to be addressed include:

Should age limits be introduced?

Should licensing become mandatory?

Should speed limits be regulated?

Should schools provide micromobility safety education?

Conclusion

E-bikes and e-scooters have become an indispensable part of modern urban life. However, scientific evidence clearly shows that these vehicles are also becoming a major cause of high-energy fractures and surgically treated injuries, especially among younger individuals.

Moreover, these injuries are no longer limited to fractures alone; they are increasingly emerging as a new cause of severe knee injuries such as ACL tears.

At the point we have reached today, micromobility devices are not only transportation tools, but also a new source of orthopedic trauma.

Fortunately, many of these risks can be significantly reduced through proper use and simple preventive measures.