Sharp Spike in Pediatric Head Injuries from Scooters and Bikes Over Sukkot
Israeli hospitals report a severe spike in head injuries among children and teenagers riding electric scooters and bicycles during Sukkot, with doctors warning that missing helmets and illegal riding ages endanger minors.
During the Sukkot holiday, medical centers across the country reported a sharp spike in severe head injuries among children and teenagers resulting from electric scooter and bicycle accidents. Doctors warn that the lack of helmets and illegal riding ages are turning festive days into a medical crisis.
Pediatric Wards Overwhelmed by Riding Accidents
Dr. Nadav Sleifer, director of the pediatric surgery department at the Galilee Medical Center, stated that the current situation in the ward is unimaginable. Out of 20 hospitalized children, eight were injured in scooter and electric bicycle accidents, some suffering life-altering head trauma.
Similarly, Shaare Zedek Medical Center reported an influx of young trauma victims within a single 24-hour period. Dr. Giora Weiser, head of the pediatric emergency department at Shaare Zedek, called the surge highly unusual. Most of the victims, aged 4 to 17, suffered varying degrees of head injuries alongside cuts, abrasions, and limb fractures.
If they had worn helmets, most of the head injuries would have been prevented—certainly skull fractures and many of the concussions. There are children whose faces are so badly scraped that we have to scrub road debris out of their skin, said Dr. Giora Weiser.
Dangerous Incidents and Missing Safety Gear
Doctors highlighted several shocking incidents, including a case where a 4-year-old and his 5-year-old brother rode a toy ride-on car down a steep street, gaining high speed before crashing into an electric pole. The younger child suffered a severe, life-threatening skull fracture. In another case, a 17-year-old riding an electric bicycle without a helmet crashed into a delivery truck door and suffered severe head trauma.
According to data from the B'Terem organization for child safety, 1,077 riding-related injuries were recorded among minors in 2025–2026. Electric bicycles accounted for 27% of cases, electric scooters for 25%, and standard bicycles for 22%. Teenagers aged 15–17 represented the largest group at 33%, while 53% of all electric vehicle accidents involved children under the age of 15, who are legally barred from riding them.
Medical professionals stress that parental responsibility and mandatory helmet use are the ultimate keys to preventing such tragedies on the road.
