In bustling city areas, electric scooters and bicycles have become popular for short-distance travel, researchers have observed a significant rise in accidents related to these small electric vehicles, known as ‘micromobility.’
Injuries from e-bicycles doubled every year from 2017 to 2022, while e-scooter injuries increased by 45%. Those injured on e-vehicles tended to be a bit older and were less likely to wear helmets compared to traditional riders. E-scooter riders were more prone to internal injuries than conventional scooter riders, whereas injuries to upper limbs were more common among non-electric vehicle riders.
Researchers studied injuries and hospitalizations related to electric bicycles, electric scooters, traditional bicycles, and conventional scooters. This study, published in JAMA Network Open on July 23, is believed to be the first to examine recent injury trends in the U.S.
“There has been a significant increase in micromobility-related injuries in the U.S. during the study period,” said co-lead author Adrian Fernandez, MD, chief resident with the UCSF Department of Urology. “This rise in accidents not only indicates a shift in demographics but also emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced safety measures. While there are definite health and environmental advantages to using micromobility vehicles, steps need to be taken to ensure safe riding.”
Impact on Urban Transportation
Micromobility, which involves the use of small vehicles for one or two passengers, has seen a 50-fold increase in the last decade, especially in dense urban areas with the introduction of electric motors and ride-sharing services. These cost-effective, eco-friendly scooters and bicycles can reach speeds of up to 28 miles per hour, offering convenience, affordability, reducing traffic congestion, and allowing riders to cover more distance with less effort.
However, these vehicles are proving to be hazardous, especially for inexperienced users.
Researchers analyzed data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, which has been collecting data on consumer product-related injuries since 1978. They examined factors such as the type of injury (blunt trauma, orthopedic, neurological, dental), location of injury (head, neck, torso, limbs), and helmet usage.
They found that e-bicycle injuries rose significantly from 751 in 2017 to 23,493 in 2022, and e-scooter injuries increased from 8,566 to 56,847 over the same period. In total, there were nearly 2.5 million bicycle injuries, over 304,000 scooter injuries, 45,586 e-bicycle injuries, and around 189,517 e-scooter injuries in the U.S.
Both traditional and electric bike and scooter injuries were more prevalent in urban areas. Electric bike and scooter riders were older and more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as riding under the influence and without a helmet, compared to riders of conventional vehicles. The median age for injured e-bicyclists was 39 years old, while for injured traditional bikers, it was 30. The median age for e-scooter riders was 30, compared to 11 for conventional scooter riders.
“Our results highlight a worrying trend: helmet use is significantly lower among electric vehicle users, and risky behaviors like riding while intoxicated are more common,” said co-first author Kevin D. Li, a student pursuing medical and master’s degrees at UCSF.
The authors recommended a comprehensive response, including better urban infrastructure to accommodate these small vehicles, and educational campaigns to promote helmet use and responsible riding.
“As micromobility vehicles become more integrated into our daily lives, it is crucial to understand and address the safety challenges they pose,” said senior author Benjamin N. Breyer, MD, MAS, the Taube Family Distinguished Professor and Chair of the UCSF Department of Urology, and a member of the UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
“This not only involves adapting our urban landscapes but also cultivating a culture of safety among riders,” Breyer added. “By doing so, we can fully leverage the potential of micromobility to create more sustainable, healthy, and safe urban environments.”
Other authors of the study include Hiren V. Patel, MD, PhD, Isabel Elaine Allen, PhD, Umar Ghaffar, and Nizar Hakam, all affiliated with UCSF.
