NORTH RICHLAND HILLS – As students return to school, they are also heading back to sports and band practices and, for many, riding e-bikes to campus. Emergency physicians at Medical City North Hills are reminding families of safety tips to help prevent injuries and keep kids healthy throughout the school year.
"Back-to-school season brings more activity—and more visits to the emergency department for injuries that are often preventable," says Curtis H. Johnson, MD, medical director of emergency services at Medical City North Hills. "As e-bikes have gotten popular, we have seen an increase in associated injuries, making it especially important for parents and students to understand the risks. Whether your child is riding an e-bike or playing sports, taking the right precautions can make all the difference."
This increase reflects a nationwide concern nationwide for e-bike safety. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that the number of e-bike accidents involving children increased more than 300% from 2019 to 2023.
To help reduce the risk of injury, Medical City North Hills medical experts recommend:
- Always wear a properly fitted helmet when riding an e-bike, bicycle or scooter.
- Obey traffic laws and avoid distractions while riding.
- Wear appropriate protective gear for sports.
- Warm up and stay hydrated before practice and games.
- Never ignore pain or concussion symptoms, seek medical evaluation before returning to play.
Parents can make injury prevention part of their back-to-school routine by checking that helmets fit properly, inspecting sports equipment and talking with their children about safe riding. Taking a few minutes to prepare can help students stay healthy, active and ready to learn.
Learn more about emergency services at Medical City North Hills here.
ABOUT MEDICAL CITY NORTH HILLS
Medical City North Hills is a 164-bed, acute care hospital located in North Richland Hills, Texas. With a medical team of more than 500 physicians, Medical City North Hills offers a broad range of services including a Level III Trauma Center, a full range of cardiovascular services, comprehensive orthopedic and spine programs, neurology, graduate medical education and an internal medicine residency clinic.