With the return of warmer weather, more people are getting back outside and hitting the road on two wheels — and each year, an increasing number are opting for motorized bikes.

Electric bicycles, also known as e-bikes, include an electric motor to assist the rider with pedaling. This allows for higher speeds, longer distances and less exertion. They also increase the risk of injury.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates e-bike injuries led to roughly 53,200 emergency room visits across the United States between 2017 and 2022, the most recent year with available data. Nearly half of those ER visits— about 24,400— happened during 2022.

Injuries are similar to normal bicycle injuries, including falls/crashes that create wrist, elbow, clavicle injuries or head injuries, but the e-bikes’ heavier frame and faster speeds can create more serious injuries.

“The major risk with e-bikes is how easy it makes it to go faster – it’s just a push of a button rather than manual pedaling, so that increases the risk and potential severity of injuries,” said Dr. Michael Banyasz, Medical Director of the Emergency Department at UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital.

The extra speed makes it easier to lose control of the e-bike for those who may be inexperienced, while the ease of use also allows older populations, who are more at risk of head bleeds or fractures, to enjoy biking again.

Here are some tips for e-bike safety:

• Always wear a helmet.
• Follow the rules of the road; Use trails or bicycle lanes whenever possible.
• Ensure high visibility by wearing reflective or bright clothing. At dusk or dawn, use lights, and consider not riding while it is dark outside.
• Keep up with routine maintenance to be sure your bike’s brakes and other components work properly.
• Don’t ride an e-bike if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
• Build up to higher speeds as you gain experience riding.
• Brake sooner than you would on a standard bike as the higher speeds require a longer stopping distance.