Electric bike crashes are drawing new concern in the Detroit, Michigan, metro area, where police are reporting more serious incidents and doctors say they are treating a rising number of related injuries, according to Fox 2 Detroit.

The growing number of crashes has led some communities to consider restrictions on electric bikes or to ban them altogether, the outlet reported.

Some electric bikes can travel as fast as 28 miles per hour, a speed that can raise the severity of crashes on sidewalks and streets.

Robert Sherwin, an emergency room doctor at the Detroit Medical Center, told Fox 2 Detroit that he has seen injuries ranging from minor cases to major trauma connected to electric bike incidents.

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"These Class 3 bikes are probably more like motor vehicles," he said. "They travel up to 28 miles an hour, and a lot of riders aren't expecting that, might not be experienced in that."

"These e-bikes are heavier than regular bikes, and they travel much faster, but the human body doesn't change just because a bike has a motor."

Local bike shop owner John Hughes told Fox 2 Detroit that he believes the "real issue" has always involved sharing the road with cars.

"Cars aren't looking out for bikes. ... People don't respect bikes as a form of transportation, and that's where it gets dangerous."

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Hughes also pointed to traffic and distracted driving as part of the danger. "There's a ton of traffic out there. Everyone is on their cellphones . They're texting and driving constantly."

At the same time, some riders say electric bikes offer a practical way to get around. Cam Cason told Fox 2 Detroit that he uses his electric bike for work and school, describing it as a "very efficient way" to travel.

"Way better than a car, in my opinion," he said. "When you don't have to spend $30 or $40 just to get some gas, use the electric bike to get where you need to go."

As safety concerns spread, some states are moving to tighten rules. In New Jersey, a law enacted this year requires electric bikes to be registered, and riders must be at least 15 years old and have either a valid driver's license or an electric bike license.

The law followed rising concern about electric bike crashes, including the death of a New Jersey teenager. Supporters said licensing, helmet and registration requirements would encourage responsible riding and reduce bodily harm.

The issue has also reached medical researchers in New York City. NYU Langone Health released an advisory in April about a surge in brain and spine injuries tied to electric bikes and scooters among riders and pedestrians.

A study published in the journal Neurosurgery found that medical emergencies involving pedal powered and electric bikes and scooters accounted for nearly 7% of trauma patients admitted to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue.

Among 914 patients treated for injuries involving pedal powered and electric bikes and scooters, one third suffered a traumatic brain injury. More than two thirds required hospital admission, and about 30% needed intensive care.

The study found that physical harm tied to electric bikes and scooters rose from less than 10% of cases in 2018 to more than half by 2023. Collisions with cars or trucks were the most common cause of injury, accounting for about half of all cases.

Fewer than one third of riders wore helmets, which was associated with a "significantly higher rate" of brain and facial injuries. The study also found that 20% of patients tested positive for alcohol, which was associated with more severe head trauma and lower rates of helmet use.

Pedestrians struck by electric vehicles suffered brain injuries at nearly twice the rate of riders, according to an analysis of 69 pedestrian cases.

Hannah Weiss, M.D., a resident in the Department of Neurosurgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and corresponding author of the study, said the findings suggest "micromobility injuries are producing serious brain and spinal trauma that demands neurosurgical care at a scale we haven’t seen before."

Paul P. Huang, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and chief of neurosurgery at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, said the study shows that "urban infrastructure must continue to improve to keep pace with the rapid rise of electric bikes and scooters."

"Future studies should track these injuries across multiple cities and measure whether protected bike lanes, helmet programs and speed enforcement actually reduce the number of brain and spine surgeries we perform," Huang said.

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