The 2026 E-Bike *Situation*: Why ER's had an 1800% increase in Pediatric E-Bike Visits, Why all the Grownups on Facebook are Aimlessly Feisty, & why Teens aren't Ready. A Developmental Inside Look.

This week, new data was put out about the 1800% increase in pediatric E-Bike related ER visits in the last three years. If you're an 'elder' who frequents the local Facebook community groups, you know that not a week goes by without a feisty post about another kid recklessly ripping around between cars and putting others in danger. Collectively, we understand that there is something that feels...off...about the sudden cultural inundation of E-Bikes, but it's hard to give it words. My name is Amber Eckert, and I am a licensed mental health therapist and parent coach. Fortunately, I have a ton of experience in child development both inside and outside the realm of clinical work. Pre, during, and post covid. This shapes my lens and leads me to understand that 'developmental readiness gaps' are why this whole situation just feels so off. Naturally, kids and teens will be desperate to participate in the current social trend, and with the increased accessibility in owning an E-bike, teen users have skyrocketed. But they weren't developmentally ready. Teens (and pre-teens, and even some children) are out in the world sprinting, before learning to walk. However, age is just a number, and we need to reflect on developmental readiness rather than age.

Comments on the data articles toted: "well I used to ride around on dirtbikes with chainsaws, and we all turned out fine." Similarly, I personally grew up slinging machetes in the woods at 7 years old. We built blackberry forts with real tools and no adults. But there are a few missing notes here when comparing childhoods. Remember, age is just a number.

When I grew up playing with machetes and hatchets and go carts and fire on our property, context and skill came first. A deep sense of trust was established first through consistent action - I demonstrated that I could handle less risky situations such as cooking with a knife and a hot oven. I demonstrated that I could follow directions. I demonstrated I had situational awareness and could hammer in a nail before being given higher risk tools. I had learned to walk first through grownups who were present, who modeled, who held me accountable. There was SO much scaffolding of skills and responsibility. Remember, age is just a number.

Let's now consider the developmental experience of a present-day teenager:

• A present day 13–16-year-old was 7-10 years old during COVID. Ages 7-10 are critical times for learning to think before acting, learning more complex problem solving, social positioning, and craving belonging. When these developmental tasks/skills are delayed, so are other critical executive functioning and pre-frontal cortex skills.

More than half of 11-12 year olds own smartphones, and a surprising 20-30% of 8-10 year olds also have smartphones. Our society handed smartphones to this cohort of

children who were evolutionarily desperate for social belonging, who lacked the ability to think ahead about their actions, and who lacked complex problem solving. This has further intensified the developmental impact.

Additionally, grownups are less available. This is not to their fault. With increased

economic stress, political stress, productivity culture stress, and their own neural wiring due to scrolling, grownups are less available to provide that context and skill building I mentioned above. To notice and help scaffold those skills.

These are just a few examples. Let's now consider how you would actually assess for developmental readiness for an E-Bike:

Has your teen consistently demonstrated responsible behavior in public with social pressure without the presence of E-bikes first? And then with analog bikes?

Does your teen demonstrate the situational awareness needed to anticipate that car backing out of the driveway or blasting into the grocery store parking lot?

Is the parent-child relationship healthy and connected, so that trust can truly be established?

Does your teen take care of their personal belongings and the belongings of others?

Does your teen respond to the needs of others and authority of those outside the home?

These are just a few reflections, with more guided reflections available here: E-bike Readiness Exercise for Parents - Etsy

There are a lot of arguments surrounding the direction of E-Bike regulation, such as "if they are going to be near a road, they should be of age to understand and obey traffic laws." Really, just a lot of efforts to put the cart back behind the horse. I personally am pro risky play, within the skills and abilities of the individual. It is the scaffolding and implementation that separates it from being healthy outdoor play versus reckless and inappropriate. If you have a teen at home and are questioning how to assess and build some of those readiness skills, parent coaching is a great option to help sort through those questions. And remember, age is just a number.

Amber Eckert, LICSW, ADHD-CCSP

As always, written without AI.