{"id":481443,"date":"2025-12-31T03:04:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T03:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/481443\/"},"modified":"2025-12-31T03:04:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T03:04:11","slug":"child-e-bike-injuries-jump-by-almost-4000-in-three-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/481443\/","title":{"rendered":"Child e-bike injuries jump by almost 4,000% in three years"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><strong>ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla.<\/strong> \u2013 Emergency rooms and first responders across Northeast Florida saw a wave of young e-bike riders with serious injuries. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Wolfson Children\u2019s Hospital reported just three patients in 2022 for injuries related to e-bikes and e-scooters. That number has since soared to 115 in 2025, so far.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cOn a day-to-day basis, we\u2019re going to all kinds of incidents. Obviously, ones with kids kind of hit us pretty hard,\u201d Chris Naff of St. Johns County Fire Rescue said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">This year, the department has responded to 50 e-bike crashes in 2025, almost five times more than the previous year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><b>JUSTICE 4 ALL: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news4jax.com\/news\/local\/2025\/10\/20\/justice-4-all-sjso-answers-your-questions-about-e-bikes-and-e-scooters-on-sidewalks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.news4jax.com\/news\/local\/2025\/10\/20\/justice-4-all-sjso-answers-your-questions-about-e-bikes-and-e-scooters-on-sidewalks\/\"><b>SJSO answers your questions about e-bikes and e-scooters on sidewalks<\/b><\/a><b> <\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Many of these young riders, most between ages 10 and 16, arrive at Wolfson Children\u2019s Hospital with injuries severe enough to require admission. Hospital data showed the rapid acceleration of serious e-bike and e-scooter accidents:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>2022: 3 patients<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>2023: 23 patients<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>2024: 74 patients<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>2025 (through Dec. 29): 115 patients<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cA lot of it\u2019s because of traffic,\u201d Naff explained. \u201cThey don\u2019t know the traffic rules like someone who has a driver\u2019s license. They\u2019re also a little bit more adventurous than most adults are as we get older.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The surge in injuries has prompted the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news4jax.com\/news\/local\/2025\/07\/16\/surge-in-e-bike-crashes-prompts-st-johns-county-sheriffs-office-safety-crackdown\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.news4jax.com\/news\/local\/2025\/07\/16\/surge-in-e-bike-crashes-prompts-st-johns-county-sheriffs-office-safety-crackdown\/\">St. Johns County Sheriff\u2019s Office<\/a> to launch new safety initiatives. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><b>MORE E-BIKE COVERAGE | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news4jax.com\/news\/local\/2025\/08\/12\/st-johns-county-sheriff-drafting-e-bike-legislation-after-recent-injuries-to-children\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.news4jax.com\/news\/local\/2025\/08\/12\/st-johns-county-sheriff-drafting-e-bike-legislation-after-recent-injuries-to-children\/\"><b>St. Johns County sheriff drafting state e-bike legislation after recent injuries to children<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news4jax.com\/news\/local\/2025\/05\/01\/as-use-of-e-bikes-scooters-increase-so-does-need-for-safety-measures-study-finds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.news4jax.com\/news\/local\/2025\/05\/01\/as-use-of-e-bikes-scooters-increase-so-does-need-for-safety-measures-study-finds\/\"><b>As use of e-bikes, scooters increase, so does need for safety measures, study finds<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">This year, SJSO hosted town halls to discuss the trends with the community. They also partnered with the school district to host safety classes for middle schoolers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cSJSO has significantly increased its enforcement of violations and education of electric bicycles, e-scooters, and other motorized devices this year,\u201d the Sheriff\u2019s Office said in a statement. \u201cBecause of our aggressive patrols, education, and training in collaboration with the St. Johns County School District, we have seen a positive impact of safe riding practices countywide.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">First responders pointed to several recurring factors in serious crashes: riders without helmets, failing to stop at signs, crossing intersections without looking, and traveling at high speeds with minimal protection.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cThey\u2019re kind of out there more. It\u2019s not that the vehicles are hitting you or going any faster. You\u2019re just more susceptible,\u201d Naff said. \u201cYou\u2019re kind of unprotected.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news4jax.com\/news\/local\/2025\/09\/04\/live-unf-police-aaa-and-uf-health-hold-news-conference-on-e-bike-safety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.news4jax.com\/news\/local\/2025\/09\/04\/live-unf-police-aaa-and-uf-health-hold-news-conference-on-e-bike-safety\/\"><b>AAA launches e-bike safety campaign at UNF due to \u2018alarming\u2019 increase in injuries, deaths across the country<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The Sheriff\u2019s Office reminded e-bike and e-scooter riders to follow the same rules as traditional bicycles:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Stop at all traffic signals and stop signs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Follow posted speed limits<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Yield to pedestrians<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Wear bright-colored clothing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Use front and rear bike lights<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Wear properly fitted helmets (mandatory for riders under 16)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">With e-bikes and e-scooters ranking among popular holiday gifts, public safety officials expected more new riders on the streets. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cNow we\u2019ve seen a lot more,\u201d Naff said. \u201cWhen kids are out of school, they get a little bit more time to play.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Looking ahead to 2026, fire rescue officials acknowledged the challenge of reversing the trend but hoped to see a decrease in the new year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cReally reiterating that with the kids and letting them know that they\u2019re not indestructible that you can get killed on these things,\u201d Naff said.<\/p>\n<p>Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX &#8211; All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 Emergency rooms and first responders across Northeast Florida saw a wave of young&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":481444,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5136],"tags":[5229,34411,3188,723,7310,14638,67,586,132,5230,68,2969,26565],"class_list":{"0":"post-481443","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-jacksonville","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-e-bike","10":"tag-fl","11":"tag-florida","12":"tag-jacksonville","13":"tag-st-johns-county","14":"tag-united-states","15":"tag-united-states-of-america","16":"tag-unitedstates","17":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","18":"tag-us","19":"tag-usa","20":"tag-wolfson-childrens-hospital"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115811967545138874","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/481443","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=481443"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/481443\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/481444"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=481443"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=481443"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=481443"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}