LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Staff at Sunrise Trauma Center have an urgent warning for e-device users to wear protective gear and ride safely after a surge of patients in 2026.
Though January 21, there were 27 adult and pediatric patients that needed trauma care after an accident on an e-device like an e-bike or e-scooter; on Monday and Tuesday alone, seven patients were admitted, according to John Pope, vice president of Trauma Services.
This week, the youngest pediatric patient was three years old; the oldest was an e-device user in their 60s, Pope tells FOX5. Pediatric patients account for 30% to 40% of total patients, which is an uptick from trends in 2025.
Approximately 22% of patients wore a helmet, though it’s unclear whether the patients used the proper helmet while operating the device.
“You’re looking at exponential growth. We’re already at about a 400% increase coming through ’25. If we stay at this rate, we’ll be at a couple hundred more percent increase coming into ’26,” Pope said.
“If you look at our ’25 data, which is very preliminary, some of the largest and worst injuries is TBI, which is traumatic brain injury. And what’s the best way to prevent that on something like this? Wear a helmet. Wear the right helmet,” Pope said. “As we do send people home, you educate the use of helmets, you educate the possibilities there… ”sometimes you just don’t know what the possibilities are,” he said.
“E-bikes are here to stay. They’re a great resource, but you need to use them appropriately,” Pope said.
Pope and other staff members are working with community partners such as Safe Kids and law enforcement to send an urgent message to the public and families: wear the proper helmet (a recommended motorcycle helmet) and all proper safety gear, and educate yourself on the proper way to operate these devices.
More customers seek safety gear
From regular customers to new customers, the owner of WheelZen Rides tells FOX5 that more people are inquiring about helmets and other safety gear. He’s had an uptick in sales for recommended helmets.
“At the end of the day, like, it doesn’t feel good getting hurt,” said owner Joe Cantalicio, who tells FOX5 that many people are surprised that they need a motorcycle helmet– among other gear for your wrists, arms, elbows and knees. Good shoes also prevent injuries, he said.
“The more you have on, the better, of course. It’s always best to have it and not ever need it, which is what we hope for. But when you do need it, wearing it is going to definitely make a big difference,” Cantalicio said.
“For those of you out there that think it looks dorky or uncool to wear pads, they make clothing with built-in armor now,” he said.
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