Doctors sound alarm over popular outdoor activity linked to devastating brain, facial injuries

The Detroit, Michigan, metro area is reporting an uptick in serious incidents related to electric bikes (e-bikes).Fox 2 Detroit reported that police are seeing a rise in e-bike crashes, while doctors say they’re treating a growing number of related injuries.These incidents have reportedly led some communities to seek restrictions on e-bikes or to ban them altogether.Some e-bikes can reach speeds of up to 28 miles per hour, increasing the potential severity of crashes on sidewalks and streets.Fox 2 Detroit spoke with emergency room doctor Robert Sherwin of the Detroit Medical Center, who reported seeing everything from minor injuries to major trauma related to e-bike incidents.“These Class 3 bikes are probably more like motor vehicles,” he said.“They travel up to 28 miles an hour, and a lot of riders aren’t expecting that, might not be experienced in that.”“These e-bikes are heavier than regular bikes, and they travel much faster, but the human body doesn’t change just because a bike has a motor.”Fox 2 Detroit also spoke with local bike shop owner John Hughes, who suggested the “real issue” has always been sharing the road with cars.“Cars aren’t looking out for bikes… people don’t respect bikes as a form of transportation, and that’s where it gets dangerous.”Hughes continued, “There’s a ton of traffic out there.

Everyone is on their cellphones.They’re texting and driving constantly.”E-bike rider Cam Cason told Fox 2 Detroit that he takes his e-bike to work and school, crediting it as a “very efficient way” to get around.“Way better than a car, in my opinion,” he said.

“When you don’t have to spend $30 or $40 just to get some gas, use the electric bike to get where you need to go.”As concerns over e-bike safety grow nationwide, states are beginning to tighten regulations.In New Jersey, a new law enacted this year requires e-bikes to be registered, and riders must be at least 15 years old and possess eith...