Overview
- State data analyzed by the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission show crashes and injuries involving e‑bikes and e‑scooters rose sharply between 2022 and 2025, with e‑bike crashes up about 194% and e‑scooter crashes up about 260%.
- The share of crash-involved riders younger than 20 jumped steeply from 2024 to 2025, with e‑scooter and e‑bike youth involvement both rising into the low‑40 percent range.
- UW Health clinicians report roughly a fivefold increase in pediatric emergency visits for injuries tied to electric devices compared with the prior year and say doctors are treating head trauma, fractures and wounds that can require surgery and long rehab.
- Officials say key risk factors are device speeds of up to about 28 miles per hour, low helmet use and distracted riding, and they warn official crash totals likely undercount incidents because state records capture mainly collisions with motor vehicles and officers do not always note electronic devices.
- The Dane County Traffic Safety Commission and partners, representing about 53 local organizations, held a joint press conference to urge helmet use, parent education, clearer local rules about where devices can be ridden and better crash reporting as communities consider new local regulations.