A dangerous scene that unfolded on a busy Long Island roadway is raising alarm among residents and doctors, as children were seen recently riding e-bikes recklessly in the middle of traffic.

A group of kids was recently spotted riding in the third lane of Sunrise Highway near Washington Avenue in Seaford, surrounded by cars. While the riders were wearing helmets, drivers say that alone does not make the situation safe.

“I’ve seen them around the neighborhood,” Seaford resident Dena Martin said. “A lot of times they stop traffic, and it can be disruptive, and nobody wants to see any of the kids get hurt.”

Doctors say these incidents are part of a troubling trend. At Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, micromobility-related trauma cases have surged more than 900% since 2023.

“Some people would call these accidents, but I think that implies it’s random and not preventable,” said Dr. Richard Scriven, a pediatric trauma surgeon at Stony Brook Children's Hospital. “These are not accidents. There are things we can do to minimize the amount of patients that we’re seeing.”

Some crashes have turned deadly. A 14-year-old from North Bellmore was killed in an e-bike crash on his way to school last November. Other incidents highlight how quickly situations can escalate, including a recent confrontation between a young rider and a driver in Kings Park.

Scriven said parents should understand that e-bikes are not toys, but powerful vehicles capable of reaching speeds of 20 mph or more, especially when modified.

Police in Nassau and Suffolk counties say they are stepping up enforcement efforts. Nassau has deployed its Strategic Response Group, while Suffolk officials warn that officers can and will confiscate e-bikes when necessary.

“We love what we do here at Stony Brook Children’s Trauma Program,” Scriven said, “but we would like to do less of it.”