Ysk E bikes are extremely dangerous and you should NOT be buying them for your children/teens
Why ysk: I am a trauma surgeon at a level 1 trauma center in the Midwest US. We have been seeing an absolute plague of E bike - related traumas in the pediatric population over the past 18 months. I am talking about leveled trauma team activations with *significant* injuries. This summer in particular we have been seeing on average 2-5 pediatric trauma activations due to E bikes **a day.**
In the past few weeks, I have seen mangled extremities, traumatic brain injuries, visceral abdominal injuries, spinal cord injuries, etc, many with life altering consequences in patients ranging in age from 8-18. These vehicles are fast, poorly regulated, and *dangerous*. Kids tend to play on them like they’re a bicycle or scooter, underestimate the danger, and end up with horrific injuries like those mentioned above.
I am imploring the parents on here to seriously reconsider getting your child one of these vehicles. If you already own one, I would recommend locking it away. Your kids may be upset but they will unquestionably be safer. If you do choose to let your children continue to use these vehicles, please dress them as though they’re riding a motorcycle with a motor vehicle helmet and protective clothing.