MARSHALL, Minn. (KMHL) — Minnesota hospital officials are raising concerns about a sharp rise in injuries tied to e-bikes and e-scooters, urging riders to take additional safety precautions.
Colleen Wood, Pediatric Trauma Program manager at Regions Hospital, says the increase has been significant across all age groups.
“Since 2023 e-bike admissions have increased by 800 percent while e-scooter admissions have risen by 80 percent. And any emergency department or trauma provider will tell you these numbers are likely an underestimate of the true scope of the problem as new devices enter the market faster than our hospital tracking systems can adapt.”
Wood says nearly 60 percent of e-scooter riders treated were not wearing helmets, with many suffering traumatic brain injuries or serious head and facial injuries.
The warning comes as a Wisconsin family shares their story after losing a child in an e-scooter crash. Danielle Michaels of Chippewa Falls says her daughter Stella underwent months of surgeries and treatment before dying from a brain injury.
“I never imagined living a life without Stella and I don’t want any other family member or any other family to experience this pain. So please wear the helmet, make your kids wear a helmet. Make it normal and make it cool because losing as child is something no parent should ever have to endure.”
Michaels says the crash happened during a single ride without a helmet. Her family is now promoting the “SLOTH” campaign — Save Loved Ones Through Helmets — to encourage riders to prioritize safety.
