ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Emergency rooms and first responders across Northeast Florida saw a wave of young e-bike riders with serious injuries.
Wolfson Children’s Hospital reported just three patients in 2022 for injuries related to e-bikes and e-scooters. That number has since soared to 115 in 2025, so far.
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“On a day-to-day basis, we’re going to all kinds of incidents. Obviously, ones with kids kind of hit us pretty hard,” Chris Naff of St. Johns County Fire Rescue said.
This year, the department has responded to 50 e-bike crashes in 2025, almost five times more than the previous year.
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Many of these young riders, most between ages 10 and 16, arrive at Wolfson Children’s Hospital with injuries severe enough to require admission. Hospital data showed the rapid acceleration of serious e-bike and e-scooter accidents:
- 2022: 3 patients
- 2023: 23 patients
- 2024: 74 patients
- 2025 (through Dec. 29): 115 patients
“A lot of it’s because of traffic,” Naff explained. “They don’t know the traffic rules like someone who has a driver’s license. They’re also a little bit more adventurous than most adults are as we get older.”
The surge in injuries has prompted the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office to launch new safety initiatives.
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This year, SJSO hosted town halls to discuss the trends with the community. They also partnered with the school district to host safety classes for middle schoolers.
“SJSO has significantly increased its enforcement of violations and education of electric bicycles, e-scooters, and other motorized devices this year,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Because of our aggressive patrols, education, and training in collaboration with the St. Johns County School District, we have seen a positive impact of safe riding practices countywide.”
First responders pointed to several recurring factors in serious crashes: riders without helmets, failing to stop at signs, crossing intersections without looking, and traveling at high speeds with minimal protection.
“They’re kind of out there more. It’s not that the vehicles are hitting you or going any faster. You’re just more susceptible,” Naff said. “You’re kind of unprotected.”
The Sheriff’s Office reminded e-bike and e-scooter riders to follow the same rules as traditional bicycles:
- Stop at all traffic signals and stop signs
- Follow posted speed limits
- Yield to pedestrians
- Wear bright-colored clothing
- Use front and rear bike lights
- Wear properly fitted helmets (mandatory for riders under 16)
With e-bikes and e-scooters ranking among popular holiday gifts, public safety officials expected more new riders on the streets.
“Now we’ve seen a lot more,” Naff said. “When kids are out of school, they get a little bit more time to play.”
Looking ahead to 2026, fire rescue officials acknowledged the challenge of reversing the trend but hoped to see a decrease in the new year.
“Really reiterating that with the kids and letting them know that they’re not indestructible that you can get killed on these things,” Naff said.