Electric Scooter and Bike Accidents Surge as Israeli Summer Break Begins

Within a few hours, three moderate injuries occurred in electric scooter and bicycle accidents in Israel, including a rider under the legal age. At 1 a.m., emergency teams in Ofakim treated and evacuated a 16-year-old boy with a head injury to Soroka Medical Center. Twenty minutes later, a similar incident in Ramat Gan involved a 60-year-old man also hospitalized with a head injury, likely from riding without a helmet. At 8:20 a.m., another call from Ofakim reported a 13-year-old boy with leg injuries from riding an electric scooter, which is legally permitted only from age 16.

According to the Or Yarok Association, seven people have died in electric scooter-related traffic accidents since the start of 2026, matching the total deaths from such accidents in all of 2025. Additionally, five electric bicycle riders have died this year, consistent with last year's figures. Or Yarok CEO Attorney Yaniv Yaakov highlighted a sharp rise in accidents involving electric scooters and bikes, especially among children and teenagers during the summer vacation period when they are out of school and unsupervised.

Yaakov emphasized that electric scooters and bikes are powerful and dangerous vehicles, not harmless toys, and noted that one-third of the fatalities this year are minors. He called on the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety to implement a comprehensive plan to raise awareness about the dangers of electric vehicle riding. He also urged police and local authorities to increase enforcement presence in youth recreational areas to reduce illegal use of these vehicles.