THE POPULARITY—AND DANGER OF MICRO-MOBILITY

E-scooters are becoming more and more common, particularly in urban centers and on college campuses.  But as Electric scooter popularity has surged, so have associated risks.  A significant (222%) increase in injuries from 2014 to 2018 was reported by JAMA Network Open, with 14,651 cases in 2019 alone. Research indicates 80% of these accidents result from falls, 11% from collisions with objects, and 9% from motor vehicle collisions. Most injuries are head-related (60%), with 26% severe, 54% moderate, and 19% mild (NCBI).  Emergency departments have noted an uptick in TBIs, extremity fractures and internal injuries in the last decade since e-scooter use has become more widespread.

Fatalities since 2018 total 29, with 5% involving pedestrians (Business Insurance). A study found 80% of injuries affected riders (Jama Surgery). Head injuries accounted for 60% of scooter accidents among survey respondents, which points to the importance of wearing helmets when riding scooters. Some additional statistics include: 5% of people injured were pedestrians; 45.5% of injuries occurred during commuting hours; 11% involved collisions with objects; 9% involved motor vehicle collisions; 1 in 3 victims needed medical attention within 48 hours after injury; 80 % of accidents happened to riders while 20% happened to bystanders; 25% of people involved in accidents had blood alcohol content above legal limit; 42% of injuries were caused by roadway imperfections such as potholes; 11.5 % of those injured admitted having already caused an accident. Data from a Consumer Product Safety Commission report released in October 2023 indicated that injuries from e-bikes and e-scooters increased by nearly 21% in 2022 from 2021.

While the ease of renting e-scooters and their small carbon footprint makes this mode of transportation very attractive, recent studies and the statistics noted above have signaled some concerns with such widespread use. The recent bankruptcy filing by the micro-mobility company “Bird” may be a sign that the industry’s bet on this alternative approach to commuting may not be the financial windfall that investors once expected. Countless lawsuits related to deaths and personal injuries from faulty parts and equipment have been a major consideration in the viability of this mode of transportation.

ACCIDENTS WITH E-SCOOTERS

Why are there so many accidents with e-scooters? One reason is one of the things that makes e-scooters so attractive to use: their quiet, near invisible presence on roads. An e-scooter can approach your car at an intersection before you even fully realize it is beside you. Operating an e-scooter or e-bike in a busy traffic-choked street where motorists may not hear them approaching due to their “silent nature” is a major concern: Their “silent” profile makes visibility an issue while changing lanes and making turns, a clear safety hazard and concern.

Other sources to consider include distraction (using smartphones) or impairment related to use of earbuds/listening to loud music, use of alcohol and mind-altering drugs, lack of training to operate a given device, and poor road conditions (puddles of water, icy roads and potholes). In addition, another major issue is that most cities do not have designated lanes for e-scooters and micro-mobility devices which tend to improve safety and protect pedestrians on sidewalks or streets. Operators were required to cap the top speed of e-scooters at 10 mph in D.C. beginning in January 2019, and sidewalk riding is prohibited in certain areas downtown. Cities like Denver and San Antonio have banned e-scooters from the sidewalks altogether, and other administrators have contracted with e-scooter companies to keep them off the sidewalk or control their speeds.

But that could be a trade-off where safety is concerned. Study results suggest that moving scooters off the sidewalk could put riders at risk of more severe injuries, but as things stand they might be suffering these lesser injuries more often. The e-scooter riders who were hurt riding in motor vehicle travel lanes were more likely to sustain moderately severe injuries than those hurt riding on sidewalks, bike lanes or multi-use trails. Moving vehicles accounted for only 13 percent of the injuries to e-scooter riders, compared with 40 percent for bicycles.

WHAT CAN BE DONE

In conclusion, researchers found that:

A majority of those sustaining e-scooter injuries were white males ages 16 to 18;

Most injuries were reported in the spring and summer;

The most common injury was fracture, and the most injured body part was the head;

Of those patients who were asked about helmet use, only 32% reported wearing a helmet at the time of injury;

Among patients with head injuries, nearly 67% were not wearing a helmet at the time of injury; and

Nearly 15% of all cases mentioned motor vehicle involvement, and almost 10% of cases mentioned hitting obstacles such as uneven ground or potholes.

Researchers say their findings highlight the need for public safety measures, including creating bicycle and scooter lanes, ensuring even pavement in riding areas, promoting helmet use, and educating motor vehicle drivers on how to maintain safe distances from those on e-scooters. They also suggest there are steps parents and e-scooter riders can take to make the use of e-scooters safer. See: https://www.chop.edu/news/e-scooter-injuries-kids-and-teens-common-causes-and-how-stay-safe.