Sharp Rise in E-Bike Injuries and Fatalities Sparks National Safety Debate

E-bike injuries in the United States have surged from 1,600 in 2018 to 23,000 in 2022, according to a report in Jama Surgery. This dramatic increase coincides with a boom in sales, which grew from 50,000 units in 2018 to 527,000 in 2022, as reported by market research firm Circana.

The safety concerns are particularly acute in urban centers. In New York City, 17 people were killed in e-bike crashes in 2024, and related injuries rose 41% from 2024 to 2025. A study at Bellevue Hospital in New York found that 7% of trauma visits between 2018 and 2023 were due to micromobility injuries, with nearly 69% of those patients requiring hospital admission.

A Growing National Concern

Cities across the U.S. are reporting significant e-bike safety issues:

• Tampa Bay, Florida, recorded at least 28 e-bike crash fatalities over a five-year period.
• Two towns near San Diego declared a state of emergency following fatal crashes.
• In response, New York City instituted a 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes in 2025.

Policy approaches have shifted with changes in leadership. Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams implemented a policy to issue criminal summonses for low-level traffic offenses by e-bike riders and cyclists. Current Mayor Zohran Mamdani revoked this policy, so cyclists and e-bikers now receive tickets similar to motorists.

Proposed Legislation and Safety Measures

The debate over how to improve safety is leading to divergent legislative proposals and advocacy efforts.

The Push for Registration and Licensing

The NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance is advocating for "Priscilla's Law," which would require e-bike and e-scooter registration with the state's Department of Motor Vehicles and the attachment of license plates. Similar legislation is under consideration in California.

Janet Schroeder, co-founder of the NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance, stated that "license plates would allow traffic cameras to identify e-bikers breaking laws, similar to cars."

New Jersey recently passed a law requiring all e-bikers to have a license and to register and insure their devices. This move was opposed by People for Bikes, which argued it created burdensome restrictions on low-speed e-bikes without additional regulations for higher-risk vehicles.

Advocacy for Infrastructure Over Regulation

Transportation Alternatives opposes registration requirements, arguing they would create a large new agency without improving safety. The organization advocates for infrastructure improvements such as expanding protected bike lanes, raising crosswalks, and removing parking spots near intersections.

Alexa Sledge, director of communications for Transportation Alternatives, emphasized that "most e-bike crashes and deaths involve cars and trucks killing people on e-bikes," and advocated for improved infrastructure as the primary solution.

Industry-Focused Proposals

Mayor Mamdani is also proposing regulations that would require delivery companies to provide trip-level data on deliveries, worker penalties, and safety incidents to the transportation department, and to establish delivery time standards.

Ligia Guallpa, co-founder of Los Deliveristas Unidos, expressed concern that registration systems could be used to target undocumented immigrants and suggested manufacturers should implement technology to enforce speed limits.

Personal Impacts and Medical Perspective

The statistics represent profound personal tragedies and a growing strain on medical resources.

• Michelle Cruz, whose father was killed by an e-biker, supports registration and licensing requirements.
• Roberta Simon, an attorney, sustained a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a teen riding an e-bike in Central Park in August 2024.
• Dr. Ashley Pfaff, a trauma surgeon at Bellevue Hospital, reported seeing e-vehicle injuries daily.

The consideration of new regulations is not without precedent or skepticism. Toronto's city government considered a bicycle registration system but determined it was not worth creating a major bureaucracy.

Market Context

The urgency of the safety debate is set against a backdrop of continued market growth. The US e-bike market is projected to grow from approximately $4.4 billion in 2026 to over $6.2 billion by 2031, suggesting that the challenges of integrating these vehicles safely into American transportation systems will only intensify.