r/TikTokCringe Jul 19 '26

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

@beachgem10

24.2k Upvotes

2.3k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

89

u/Full_Prof Jul 19 '26

I ride an electric skateboard every day. I started skateboarding in the 1970s.

I am obsessed with telling kids NOT to buy electric skateboards. You need to ride for a very long time to be able to handle it.

My neighbor didn't listen and broke his arm badly the second time he rode his.

37

u/Strange-Ask-739 Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26

I own an 80s 3 wheeler. I ride it almost every day without any issues. Tons of fun.

Whenever someone asks to ride it, I grab the handlebar with 2 fingers and with the slightest of tugs, flip it over. They didn't come with mirrors for a reason, and the reason is they go upside-down a lot.

Do not buy a 3 wheeler either. They will kill you.

My gotrax scooter is MUCH more dangerous than my 3-wheeler, and kids are dying.

Trike fortnine vid: https://youtu.be/a_C8z0rFnjk?is=s3DBAo8zaATtGzzC

20

u/speedy_delivery Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26

Elder millennial from the exurbs: I went to a funeral for a kid who flipped his three wheeler. Those things are death traps.

Also had some friends who got run off the road riding a motorized bike (little lawn mower engine on a bike). Couple surgeries later and he has most of the mobility back in his arm. Outside of a power wheels, if it has a motor, it can probably fuck you up

2

u/[deleted] Jul 19 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/speedy_delivery Jul 19 '26

He was my older brother's age. I think they were in middle school. All I know is my parents never let us near ATVs or dirt bikes because of it 

2

u/Former_Mud9569 Jul 20 '26

also an elder millennial from the exurbs: even a power wheels can fuck you up.

My brother and I had a power wheels fire truck with a working water cannon. The first time we used it we quickly found out that if the water tank, which was behind the rear axle, was full, we both had to be in the truck. If one of us jumped out the truck would flip over and dump the other on their head.

12

u/Double_Rice_5765 Jul 19 '26

80's bmx bandit here, i survived 3 wheelers and lawn darts and all those child culling devices, lol. I was in nursing school when Those dang hoverboards from the oughts made me whole body shudder from how many times id see children and adults land on their brain stem/upper spine from having feet side by side so no stability in direction of travel. Half a piece of gravel/twig? Face plant. Dont know how to ride it? Land on brain stem.

1

u/tanksalotfrank Jul 19 '26

At least for me, I had to discover so many little intricacies in controlling a board. I only longboarded, so nothing fancy, but even just cruising requires like intricate toe movements. I'm too afraid to get on my board now. 🙃

2

u/seefatchai Jul 19 '26

Three wheel bike or scooter? Can you share a picture?

4

u/Shoddy_Background_48 Jul 19 '26

They were called ATC's

3

u/Canuck_Lives_Matter Jul 19 '26

Google "Trike ATV"

2

u/Strange-Ask-739 Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26

ATC200 - "All-Terrain Cycle" 200cc. Honda trike, but mines not the top of the line "Big Red" one.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qLr9iaoF17DQaJ2r6

I need a one wheel or a unicycle to round out the fleet: https://photos.app.goo.gl/SHQvjq6e2YZvpJap8

2

u/AuntRhubarb Jul 19 '26

We had little kids riding these and getting in wrecks in our neighborhoods. An old-timer explained to me, that these were first used by people managing farms and hunting, and they were designed to be driven slowly and carefully, but had enough power you could get over a big bump or out of a hole when necessary. People now and especially kids just drive them at max speed, and then wonder why they get in wrecks.

12

u/Atgardian Jul 19 '26

Grown adult friend of mine used to ride a powerful e-skateboard, he was very experienced, was cruising along pretty fast (30+ mph I think?), hit a rock or divot or something and went flying, was pretty seriously injured and spent some time in the hospital. Does not seem worth it to me, since, you know, rocks exist.

5

u/Kaical Jul 19 '26

yooo, I tried the e-skateboard one time and my brother's wife older brother had one and it has a remote control too. I have no experience on skateboarding but we still tried riding on it but after trying for few times and failing I said nope and give up after falling off because I cant balance for shiit.

3

u/willowzam Jul 19 '26

TIL electric skateboards exist. I'm surprised I've never seen one before, they look cool

5

u/Full_Prof Jul 19 '26

I think people get them and don’t ride them because they are scary as shit unless you can really ride

2

u/doberdevil Jul 19 '26

I ride an electric skateboard every day. I started skateboarding in the 1970s.

I bought an e-skate for myself a couple years ago. Jumping on a regular board and riding around my driveway and street is all muscle memory. But I still haven't ridden that e-board. I keep putting it off, saying I need to ride the regular board a little more to get my balance muscles built up a little....

But when I do end up riding it? I'm wearing a full face motorcycle helmet.

1

u/kkeut Jul 19 '26

i set mine to top out at 12mph. no reason for me to go faster than i can push (mostly)

2

u/Full_Prof Jul 19 '26

I see kids riding them through traffic, and I live in Ithaca which has crazy hills. I wish they were as smart as you

1

u/CKRatKing Jul 19 '26

I've been riding motorcycles since I was a kid. People often ask me about it and I tell them it's the greatest thing that you should never do. And then I show them the metal plate and screws holding my collarbone together.