The University of Michigan C.S. Mott national poll of 1,234 parents (July 2026) found most feel poorly informed about e‑bike types—only 6% said they were very informed while 67% said they were not. Thirty‑five percent reported household e‑bike use, but 82% cited rider injury as a major concern. Parents favored safety measures—80% supported helmet rules and 68% backed age labels—over an outright ban. Medical reports indicate hospitalizations for e‑bikes and e‑scooters are nearly double those for regular bikes, and young riders show higher rates of fractures and limb injuries.
Most Parents Feel Uninformed About E‑Bikes as Teen Use Rises, Poll Finds
Image Credit: Austin Kirk - CC BY-SA 2.0/Wiki Commons.
A new national poll from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital finds most parents do not feel well informed about electric bicycles, even as e‑bikes become more common among children and teenagers.
Survey Snapshot
The C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health surveyed 1,234 parents of 11‑ to 18‑year‑olds in July 2026. Just 6% of parents described themselves as very informed about different types of e‑bikes, 27% said they were somewhat informed, and 67% said they were not informed.
Usage and Perceived Benefits
Thirty‑five percent of parents reported someone in their household had ridden an e‑bike. Parents cited several benefits, including:
- Practical transportation when a car isn’t available
- Recreation and fun
- Added physical activity
- Greater independence for teens
Safety Concerns and Policy Preferences
Safety was a dominant worry. Eighty‑two percent of parents identified rider injury as a downside, and 62% were concerned about injuries to pedestrians. Other concerns included drivers unfamiliar with e‑bikes, battery fires during charging, and e‑bikes being left on roads or sidewalks.
Parents favored targeted safety measures over bans: 80% strongly supported helmet requirements, 68% favored labels indicating minimum ages for different e‑bike types, 63% supported clearer markings showing where e‑bikes should be ridden, and 57% backed safety training. Only 11% strongly supported a full ban.
Where Should E‑Bikes Ride?
Many parents were unsure about where e‑bikes belong: 45% said they did not know. Among those who gave a location, 29% said bike lanes, 11% said sidewalks, 10% said the edge of the road, and 5% said in the same lane as cars.
For a typical teenager, 65% of parents consider e‑bikes more dangerous than conventional bicycles.
Expert Reporting and Injury Data
Reporting by WILX 10 quoted pediatric emergency medicine physician Dr. Andy Hashikawa of Michigan Health, who said hospitalization rates for e‑bikes and e‑scooters are nearly twice those for regular bicycles. Emergency departments are seeing lacerations, fractures, bruises, head injuries and significant internal injuries.
A HealthDay report (March 2026) summarized research presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting showing a substantial rise in e‑bike injuries among young riders in San Diego. That research found children in e‑bike crashes were more likely to sustain arm or leg injuries and broken bones than those on conventional bicycles.
Understanding E‑Bike Classes
The survey also explained the common three‑class e‑bike system: Class 1 and Class 2 models provide pedal or throttle assistance up to 20 mph; Class 3 models assist up to 28 mph. Health experts advise parents and riders to know which class they are using and to wear helmets rated for higher speeds when appropriate.
What Parents Can Do
Given the rising use and the safety concerns, parents may consider learning more about e‑bike classes, requiring helmets, enrolling teens in safety training, and reviewing local rules about where e‑bikes are allowed. Clear labeling and community education could help reduce confusion and injuries.
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