CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – As e-bikes climb to the top of holiday wish lists for tweens and teens, AAA is urging parents to understand the risks associated with putting a motorized bike under the tree. The organization says that while e-bikes can offer independence and excitement, they also bring significant safety concerns—especially for younger riders.
New national research shows more than 45,000 injuries and over 5,400 hospitalizations linked to e-bikes over a five-year period. Children made up thirteen percent of those cases. Head injuries saw one of the sharpest increases, rising nearly forty-nine times during that span.
AAA says one major issue is that many parents are unaware that e-bikes fall into three different classes, each with different capabilities and speed limits. Some models are designed strictly for adults or experienced riders and may not be appropriate for kids…