If you plan on cruising around town on an electric bike in the near future (whether it's a rental or the best e-bike coming out in 2024), you might want to think twice before doing so without a helmet

According to newly released research (first reported by NPR), reports of head trauma and other injuries from electric motorcycle accidents are skyrocketing Worse, many of these injuries were at least partially avoidable-helmet use on e-bikes has declined disappointingly over the same period

According to a research letter titled "Electric Bicycle Injuries and Hospitalizations," published last week in the JAMA Network, between 2017 and 2022, helmet use among e-bike enthusiasts in the United States declined by 6% from

The study also found that the use of helmets among e-bike enthusiasts in the United States will decrease by 6% between 2017 and 2022

During the same period, the number of recorded e-bike riders who sought medical care for head trauma increased nearly 50-fold, to just under 8,000 in 2022

The study found that 44% of injured riders were wearing helmets The remaining 66%, or approximately 5,300, were not wearing helmets Statistically speaking, the study notes that riding an e-bike without a helmet almost doubles the chance of head trauma compared to riding with a helmet

Compared to most road and commuter bikes, e-bikes tend to be larger, heavier, and always faster Fortunately, whether you ride a purely pedal-powered bike or an e-bike with electronic assistance, there is an easy way to keep your head a little safer: wear a bicycle helmet

Need a guide? We can help Check out our epic buying guide on the best bicycle helmets available today, including those with trendy designs and the latest safety technology And if you're in a hurry, find three of my favorite helmets for e-bike enthusiasts below