Wichita ER doctors warn of rising e-bike, e-scooter injuries

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - E-bikes and e-scooters are everywhere these days, but ER doctors and even the Augusta Department of Safety are issuing warnings about their dangers.

Kids can be seen around Wichita, riding e-bikes at high speeds of up to 25 miles an hour with their friends. Some parents say it’s causing a danger to their families.

“There are kids that will come through and not pay attention to where they’re going,” said Lindsay Lewis, a parent in Wichita.

Dr. Howard Chang works in the emergency department at Ascension Via Christi and said that he has seen people check into the emergency room after incidents with e-bikes.

“Across the country we’re seeing more and more e-bike injuries, not just here in Wichita. It’s nationwide,” Chang said.

While these e-bikes have grown more popular, mostly due to their eco-friendly nature, they’ve become a problem in many Wichita neighborhoods. Signs can be seen in some areas, warning people not to speed.

Chang warned that if you’re riding an e-bike and get in an accident, the injuries can be life threatening.

“We’re seeing patients with head injuries, orthopedic injuries like broken bones, broken clavicle, chest trauma,” Chang said.

According to Chang, the worst accidents happen when children or adults don’t wear helmets.

“Worst case scenario would be an intracranial hemorrhage, so that would be bleeding around the skull. And that can become life threatening,” Chang said.

Lewis said she would feel better about the bikes if children under the age of 16 were prohibited from riding them.

“Really look over safety, as far as helmets and kneepads and all that. And just going over safety in general with their kids, and making sure they’re paying attention,” Lewis said.

Dr. Chang said that to drive one of the e-bikes safely, you should wear your helmet at all times and be properly trained to drive your bike.