{
  "id": 11442811,
  "title": "Children and teens experience more injuries on electric or gas-powered bikes than on pedal-assist bikes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/children-and-teens-experience-more-injuries-on-electric-or-gas",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-02T13:00:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-children-teens-injuries-electric-gas.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 National Conference & Exhibition in San Diego reveals that children and teenagers face a higher risk of injury or death when riding electric or gas-powered bikes compared to pedal-assist bicycles. Researchers analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) spanning the years 2005 to 2024 and found that injuries and fatalities were more severe among younger riders using electric bikes or gas-powered cycles.\n\nThe study examined 134,426 cases involving pedal-assist bicycles, 305 incidents with e-bikes, and 1,721 cases of gas-powered bikes. Gas-powered bikes resulted in the most hospital admissions, followed closely by e-bikes. In the pediatric trauma setting, electric bicycles are becoming increasingly prevalent.\n\nSeth Weir, DO, a third-year general surgery resident and co-author of the abstract, emphasized the importance of the research in informing parents about the risks associated with electric-assist bicycles. The most common injury type across all three bike types was contusion or abrasion, while fractures were more frequent in e-bike incidents. Head injuries were the most commonly reported injuries, accounting for 20% of e-bike cases, 16.6% of gas-powered cycle cases, and 15.8% of pedal-assist bicycle cases.\n\nDistressingly, the highest percentage of trauma-related deaths was linked to electric bicycles, and they also had the second-highest admission rate among the three types of bicycles. While hospital admissions and fatalities are rare, the researchers argue that there is a need for regulation to prevent harm. They propose measures such as requiring a driver's license for e-bike riders or regulating bike speeds for younger age groups. Overall, this research underscores the need for safety measures surrounding electric and gas-powered bikes to protect the well-being of children and teenagers.",
  "summary": "Children and teens who ride electric- or gas-powered bikes are at higher risk of trauma or death when involved in collisions than those riding pedal-assisted bicycles, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 National Conference & Exhibition in San Diego Oct. 2–6.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}