ATLANTA — A majority of Georgia adults report seeing children ride e-bikes or e-scooters without helmets, according to a new study.
AAA says more than half of the Georgia respondents observed children riding without head protection as medical providers report a 7.5-fold increase in pediatric emergency department visits for e-bike and e-scooter injuries between 2023 and 2026.
The surge in hospital visits comes from an analysis examining more than 12,000 pediatric emergency cases across the country.
Medical researchers found that over a third of injured young riders suffered head or neck injuries, while nearly 7% sustained traumatic brain injuries.
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In response to safety concerns, 83% of surveyed Georgians support requiring helmets for e-bike and e-scooter riders, while 43% believe not enough riders currently wear protection.
E-bikes and e-scooters can reach higher speeds than traditional bicycles, elevating the physical risks associated with collisions.
Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA, said it was important to use gear matching device capabilities.
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“Many parents see e-bikes and e-scooters as just another version of a bicycle, but some of these devices can reach much higher speeds,” Waiters said. “With higher speeds come greater risks. That’s why it’s so important for riders to wear a helmet that fits properly and is designed for the type of device they’re riding.”
Helmet safety standards vary based on maximum operational speeds:
- CPSC-certified bicycle helmets for speeds traveling up to 20 mph.
- NTA 8776 certified helmets for higher speeds up to 28 mph
- DOT-certified motorcycle helmets for speeds that exceed 28 mph
Waiters warned against assuming that standard bicycle helmets offer adequate protection across all motorized devices.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that any helmet provides the same level of protection,” Waiters said. “The faster the device, the more important it becomes to choose a helmet designed for those speeds.”
Georgia regulations say that riders and passengers under age 16 must wear a bicycle helmet that meet national safety standards.
Georgia law does not set a statewide minimum age requirement for operating Class I or Class II e-bikes.
However, city and county governments have the legal authority to regulate where devices are permitted, including local sidewalks, shared-use paths and beach areas.
AAA gathered its survey findings by polling 400 adult Georgia residents from April 17 to April 26.
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