The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under 16 should not operate or ride on motorized or e-scooters.
If you fall off an e-scooter, which can travel up to 15 and 20 miles per hour, you are going to get hurt. The most common injuries are cuts, fractures and head injuries. Some of these injuries are severe. There is a recent sharp spike in the numbers of severely injured children.
Electric scooters also have legal and safety concerns. In the UK, it’s not legal to use a privately-owned electric scooter on a road because they usually don’t comply with road traffic laws. They don’t typically have rear lights or registration plates. You can not ride them on pavements or in a public place.
Independent experts recommend only children aged 8 and over, with a maximum weight limit of 60kg or 80kg depending on the model, should ride electric scooters. This is because children of this age have better motor skills and awareness of their surroundings to control the scooter safely.
According to the London Fire Brigade if batteries from an e-scooter becomes damaged or begin to fail, they can start incredibly ferocious fires. Lithium battery fires can spread quickly out of control, and within seconds start a large fire.
There is a higher risk of severe injury and death for riders of e-bikes and e-trikes than for regular bike users.
E-bikes were reported as the reason in the USA for about 53,000 emergency department visits and caused 104 deaths from 2017-2022. In 2022 alone, e bikes were linked to 24,400 emergency department visits.
Motor vehicle crashes and bike control issues were the top hazards associated with e-bike fatalities.
Please note that e-bikes are heavier than bicycles making them less suitable for pathways.
E-bike batteries can cause fires. The e-bike battery powers the motor but it must be charged often. Parents should keep in mind that a rechargeable e-bike battery presents a higher risk of fire and explosion.
Finally, home insurance may be invalidated with some insurers with overnight charging of e-scooters and e-bikes.
However, Just4Children can release monies for e-trikes under certain conditions. E-trikes are safer and can improve heart health, build muscle strength, and can even boost mental well-being. Plus, they are great for encouraging social interaction, making them a fun and therapeutic activity that can improve the quality of life for the children who use them.
We ask for confirmation from a physical therapist or other healthcare professional to determine if a pedal-assisted bike is appropriate for the child and to develop a tailored therapy plan. For example, we need to be ensured that the bike is appropriately sized and fitted for the child, and that they will wear appropriate safety gear, such as a helmet.