E-bike safety concerns grow after fatal crashes in Idaho
Kaelyn Blessinger
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) —As e-bikes continue to surge in popularity, safety experts and medical professionals are raising concerns about the risks associated with the high-speed bicycles, particularly for children and teenagers.
The renewed focus on e-bike safety comes after two recent fatal crashes in Idaho. A Boise teenager was killed in an e-bike crash, while just a week earlier, a North Idaho man died after losing control of his e-bike near Spirit Lake.
Yet, e-bikes’ popularity shows no signs of slowing down.
“It’s definitely the fastest-growing segment in the cycling industry. There are city cruisers, there are gravel, there are racing road bikes, and there are mountain bikes in the e-bike world,” said David Wilding, owner of Idaho Mountain Trading.
Available in a variety of styles, including commuter, road, gravel, and mountain bikes, some models can reach speeds of 20 miles per hour or more, with certain high-powered versions capable of traveling significantly faster.
With their increasing popularity has come a rise in safety concerns. Communities across the region are considering new ordinances aimed at improving safety for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.
“Some cities have particular ordinances that have designated bike lanes or bike lanes and some of those for safety,” said Sgt. Bryan Lovell of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office. “If it’s on a bike path or that’s also being shared by pedestrians, so you still have a responsibility to ride safely in those areas, even though it’s not a traveled roadway or a city street.”
Health experts are also reporting an increase in serious injuries tied to e-bike crashes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 100,000 cyclists visit emergency departments each year for crash-related injuries. Locally, doctors say e-bike accidents have led to head injuries and broken bones.
“E-bikes and E-scooters could cause things like head traumas,” said Dr. Jaren Dickey. “Broken arms would be the main ones. They might get a big cut on their head, something like that. However, sometimes it can be a lot worse. Can even include bleeds inside the brain”
Because of those risks, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children younger than 16 not ride e-bikes, citing the combination of higher speeds and limited riding experience among younger users.
Despite those recommendations, neither Idaho nor Wyoming currently sets a minimum age requirement for riding an e-bike. Neither state requires adults to wear helmets while riding.
Even without a legal mandate, medical professionals and cycling experts strongly encourage riders of all ages to wear helmets every time they ride.
Doctors say helmets have been proven to significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries and urge families not to wait for laws to require the use of protective gear.
“Helmets have been shown to prevent a lot of these. Don’t wait for it to be a legal requirement to do the thing that’s right for your kid,” said Dr. Dickey.
Cycling advocates echo that message, noting that crashes are a risk you take when riding and that wearing a helmet can make the difference between a minor injury and a life-threatening one.
“It’s pretty much a must,” says Wilding. “It’s not an if but a when, because you will crash at some point”