The rise in electric bike, or e-bike, use across Central Florida is prompting concern among doctors and law enforcement as more riders end up in emergency rooms with serious injuries.

Electric bikes are now common from along the coast to downtown Orlando.

Dr. Scott Zenoni, trauma medical director at Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center in Brevard County, said his trauma team sees e-bike accidents “almost daily if not weekly,” and most are preventable.

So far this year, 36 people over the age of 16 have been treated at Health First for e-bike crashes, with patients ranging from teenagers to retirees.

"The two most common injuries that we have seen over the past year that are on the rise are traumatic brain injuries and multiple orthopedic injuries," Zenoni said.

Law enforcement officials warn that the speed and power of e-bikes can catch riders off guard.

"Parents are not understanding; these are not like regular bicycles," said Capt. Kim Montes of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. "They can go up to 28 mph and, unfortunately, we have seen some go higher if they have been altered."

Not all e-bikes are the same. Some are street-legal, while others can only be ridden on private property, creating confusion for riders and families. "It’s hard because a lot of legislation has not kept up with the definitions of how to handle these devices," Montes said.

In Osceola County, deputies are still figuring out how to enforce the rules. "What we are seeing out there on the roadways, especially children, is they are not using them the right way," Montes said.

Cities across Central Florida, including DeLand and St. Cloud, are exploring new ordinances to help law enforcement and protect riders.

Dr. Zenoni said better awareness and regulations are needed to prevent serious accidents. “A majority of these accidents involve people who are not following the laws,” he said.

Florida law requires anyone under 16 to wear a helmet when riding an e-bike.