City Hospitals See Surge in E-bike Trauma

Electric bikes and scooters are linked to a substantial rise in severe brain and spinal injuries in urban areas, according to new research. A five-year study at a major New York City hospital found that one in three patients treated for bike and scooter-related injuries suffered a traumatic brain injury, with many requiring intensive care.

The scale of the issue has grown dramatically, with these injuries comprising over 50% of emergency trauma cases by 2023, up from less than 10% in 2018. Collisions with cars and lorries were the most frequent cause, and helmet use was notably low, correlating with higher rates of brain and facial trauma.

Strikingly, pedestrians hit by electric vehicles experienced brain injuries at nearly twice the rate of the riders. Researchers suggest that increased e-bike delivery traffic during evening rush hours may contribute to the peak injury times observed between 6 pm and 8 pm.

Experts emphasize the urgent need for action, calling for improved road safety measures, safer bike lane designs, and increased enforcement to prevent these severe injuries and better protect all road users. Further research is proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of protected bike lanes and speed enforcement.