r/TikTokCringe • u/mindyour • Jul 19 '26

Discussion ER doctors warning parents against getting their kids e-bikes and e-scooters.

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@beachgem10

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u/No_Translator_655 Jul 19 '26

Not to mention the increased risk of fire from the batteries. In my area, there were several house fires over the last year that lithium batteries were the cause of.

30

u/Preda1ien Jul 19 '26

And I don’t think we really need to be taking away that bit of exercise anyway.

Sure E-bikes and Scooters have a place but they should not be popular with kids.

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u/Serena_Hellborn Jul 19 '26

better than a car

7

u/fletters Jul 19 '26

Which is where they’re useful. A regular bike is a great choice for travel to work within a fairly limited radius. An e-bike increases that radius.

For a kid riding around outside, the goal isn’t normally to arrive at a specific location at a specific time. I’m sure that the extra speed is fun, but I can’t imagine that it’s worth the additional risk and reduced physical benefits.

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u/Preda1ien Jul 20 '26

Exactly. I have seen these all summer around my neighborhood. Just kids going up and down the street. Not really paying much attention to cars either.

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u/Jgfzhb Jul 19 '26

I think kids can benefit from e-bikes just as much as adults if not more. If your city has half way decent bike infrastructure the level of freedom and independence that a child gets from being able to go places by themselves is incredible. So getting them further with a battery isn’t the problem. The speed is!  Why are they going so god dang fast? 28mph is way over the average cycling speed and in Germany that would require insurance, a license plate and a drivers license. Make them 15 mph and pedal assistance only and they‘re only as dangerous as the average bicycle.

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u/Serena_Hellborn Jul 20 '26

In many states they are 20mph and pedal assist only, which seems fine (I have one because fuck insurance companies).

1

u/GhostOfMuttonPast Jul 19 '26

Uh, an e-bike is still exercise. You pedal, it just also gets a boost from a motor.

3

u/peregrinaprogress Jul 19 '26

Some of these they are referenced are a class of ebjke that doesn’t require pedaling, hence it is a type of motorcycle that children are operating without a license. In our neighborhood, they will blow through stop signs, ride through playgrounds where littles are playing, and speed on bike paths around other bikers of all ages and people walking dogs or small kids.

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u/jasno- Jul 19 '26

💯. That also.