Survey Finds Low Helmet Use Among Illinois Children Riding E-Scooters and E-Bikes

As the use of electric scooters (e-scooters) and electric bicycles (e-bikes) continues to grow, a new Voices of Child Health report from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago highlights concerning gaps in safety practices among Illinois families, particularly when it comes to helmet use. 

The report is based on a statewide survey of more than 1,000 parents and caregivers and examines how often children use motorized recreational vehicles such as e-scooters, e-bikes, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and snowmobiles, as well as how consistently families require helmets. 

Key findings from the survey include: 

• Nearly one in four parents reported that their child has used an e-scooter, making it the most commonly used motorized vehicle among children. 

• Only 36 percent of parents said they always require their child to wear a helmet while riding an e-scooter (the lowest rate of helmet use across all motorized vehicle types studied). 

• Fewer parents reported helmet use for e-bikes (48 percent) compared with ATVs (51 percent) and snowmobiles (63 percent). 

• Families with older children were significantly less likely to require helmets than families with younger children. 

• Among families with at least one child aged 11 or older, only 30 percent always required helmet use for e-scooters and 42 percent for e-bikes. 

Motorized vehicles such as e-scooters and e-bikes can reach higher speeds than traditional scooters and bicycles, increasing the risk of serious injury, particularly to the head and neck. National data show that emergency department visits related to e-scooter injuries have increased sharply in recent years, and children and adolescents are among the most frequently injured riders. 

“The findings show that many children are using motorized vehicles without consistent helmet protection, even though helmets are one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of serious head injury,” said the report’s senior author Marie Heffernan, PhD, Director of Voices of Child Health in Communities and Assistant Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “As these devices become more common, it’s important for families to understand the risks and to make helmet use a non-negotiable part of riding.” 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns against the use of e-scooters by children under age 16 and recommends safety practices for all riders, including wearing helmets and protective gear, riding one person at a time, and following traffic laws. Recommended ages for e-bike use vary depending on the speed and type of bike. 

The report also found differences in helmet use by household characteristics. Parents with a college degree were more likely to always require helmet use for e-scooters than parents without a college degree, while helmet requirements did not differ significantly by income level, race, or whether families lived in urban or rural areas. 

As communities across Illinois begin to introduce new rules and restrictions related to e-bike and e-scooter use, the report underscores the importance of public education and clear safety guidelines to help prevent injuries among children and adolescents. 

The Voices of Child Health report is based on data from the Voices of Child Health Parent Panel Survey. The survey was administered by Lurie Children’s and NORC at the University of Chicago via internet and phone in English and Spanish. Data were collected in October 2024 from a sample of parents with children aged 0-17 who lived in the state of Illinois. Survey responses were statistically weighted to be representative of Illinois families. 

Population-focused child health research at Lurie Children’s is conducted through the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is a nonprofit organization committed to providing access to exceptional care for every child. It is the only independent, research-driven children’s hospital in Illinois and one of fewer than 35 nationally. Lurie Children’s is the pediatric training affiliate for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and is consistently ranked among the nation’s top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.