AAA: 66% of Floridians See Kids Riding E-Bikes Without Helmets as Injuries Spike

A new survey from AAA – The Auto Club Group reveals a widespread safety concern across Florida: nearly two-thirds of adults have witnessed children riding e-bikes or e-scooters without helmets, even as medical injuries from these devices surge among young riders.

The findings come as pediatric emergency departments nationwide report a sharp uptick in e-bike and e-scooter injuries. According to a medical study cited by AAA, injuries among children and adolescents jumped 7.5-fold between 2023 and 2026, with more than a third of those cases involving head or neck trauma and nearly 7% resulting in traumatic brain injuries. The American College of Surgeons notes that only about one-third of injured riders were wearing helmets at the time of their crash.

"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," said Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman for The Auto Club Group. "With higher speeds come greater risks." The survey also found that 83% of Floridians support helmet requirements for e-bike and e-scooter riders, and 59% believe insufficient riders wear them.

In Florida, riders under 16 must wear a bicycle helmet meeting national safety standards, but local governments can adopt stricter rules. AAA emphasizes that helmet protection should match device speed: CPSC-certified bicycle helmets work for traditional bikes and slower devices (up to 20 mph), while NTA 8776 helmets suit higher-speed e-bikes (up to 28 mph), and DOT-certified motorcycle helmets offer the most protection for devices exceeding 28 mph.