E-bike and e-scooter injuries rise in Virginia with limited state rules

Emergency room visits related to e-bikes and e-scooters in Virginia have increased significantly, according to the Virginia Health Department and medical experts, NBC12 reported. The department recorded 662 such visits in 2025 and 740 in just the first half of 2026, highlighting a growing public health concern.

Medical professionals in Richmond noted that injuries from these devices often include head trauma and orthopedic injuries such as wrist fractures and ankle sprains. Jeffrey Haynes, a pediatric surgery expert, emphasized that traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death among children treated for blunt trauma, and many head injuries are linked to e-bike and e-scooter accidents due to lack of helmet use.

State regulations on e-bikes and e-scooters remain minimal. Helmets are only required for riders of Class 3 e-bikes, which can reach speeds of up to 28 mph. This regulatory gap contributes to the risk, especially for younger riders who are not mandated to wear protective gear.

Henrico Police have observed unsafe riding behaviors, including failure to obey traffic rules, which creates hazardous situations on local roads. Officer Scott Phillips described instances where riders ignore stop signs and travel at high speeds on busy suburban streets, increasing the risk of accidents.

The rising injury numbers and limited state regulations have prompted calls for increased awareness and safety measures to protect riders and the community in the Richmond area.