TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) — E-bikes are becoming an increasingly common sight on the streets. However, local hospitals are noting a rise in e-bike-related injuries, particularly involving children.
Doctors are urging parents to know the risks and the steps to keep kids safe.
There is a bit of an e-bike craze on the streets and in the stores. The team at Tampa Bay E-Bike said the demand for electric bikes is high.
“It’s definitely increasing and the age group for the e-bike industry is getting younger,” noted Forrest Fleming, a Customer Support Employee at Tampa Bay E-Bike.
If you ask some parents, that’s where they say they have to draw the line.
“I definitely have an 11-year-old that wants one and not quite sure he’s ready for it right now, you know?” expressed Emily Cabral, a concerned parent. “There’s a lot of kids riding them now. That makes me a little nervous.”
Tampa General Hospital reported that in 2024, approximately nine children suffered injuries from riding e-bikes. Between January and July 2025, this number rose to about 24, and they anticipate further cases.
“We’re seeing bad brain injuries, brain bruising, bleeding, severe concussions, and significant broken arms and legs requiring surgery,” said Dr. Jasmine Patterson from Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH/USF Health. “It’s a serious issue. Many of these injuries could likely be avoided if parents were more informed about the bikes and took steps to safeguard their children, teaching them more about the bikes and road rules.”
Dr. Patterson highlighted that some kids aged 12-15 have collided with parked cars, jumped curbs, and often did not wear helmets. Fleming mentioned that these bikes can achieve speeds ranging from 20 to 28 miles per hour, with uncertainties about what some kids might be doing on them.
“This is an electric vehicle that can cause a lot of damage if they don’t know how to manage it properly,” said Fleming.
He said that is where parents come in. Even with a helmet, being responsible on the roads, has to be taught and enforced by parents. Cabral said the level of some of the injuries being reported, to here just aren’t worth it.
“I think as you get older, obviously it’s fine. But that, that age group, I’m not sure they’re quite ready for it yet,” said Cabral. “There are a lot. They speed through on the Riverwalk sometimes. And I mean, they look fun. definitely. But it, you know, can absolutely be a safety hazard.”
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