Electric scooters and bikes are becoming increasingly popular in U.S. cities, but with their rise in use comes a significant increase in accidents.
Researchers from UC San Francisco (UCSF) have found a major national surge in injuries related to these “micromobility” vehicles.
Their study, published in JAMA Network Open, is the first to look at recent injury trends across the country.
From 2017 to 2022, injuries from electric bicycles (e-bikes) doubled each year, while injuries from electric scooters (e-scooters) increased by 45%.
The study revealed that e-bike riders are typically older and less likely to wear helmets compared to those riding conventional bikes. E-scooter riders are more prone to internal injuries, whereas traditional scooter riders often suffer from upper extremity injuries.
“The increase in micromobility injuries is striking,” said Dr. Adrian Fernandez, co-lead author and chief resident with the UCSF Department of Urology. “While micromobility vehicles offer health and environmental benefits, we need to improve safety measures to prevent injuries.”
Micromobility, which refers to small vehicles designed for one or two passengers, has grown dramatically over the last decade.
These electric-powered scooters and bikes are particularly popular in densely populated areas due to their low cost, low emissions, and convenience. They can travel up to 28 miles per hour and help reduce traffic congestion.
However, these vehicles can be dangerous, especially for inexperienced riders. The researchers analyzed data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, which tracks emergency department visits for consumer product-related injuries.
They examined the type and region of injuries and helmet use.
The findings showed a sharp rise in injuries: e-bike injuries soared from 751 in 2017 to 23,493 in 2022, and e-scooter injuries rose from 8,566 to 56,847 in the same period. Overall, there were nearly 2.5 million bicycle injuries, more than 304,000 scooter injuries, 45,586 e-bike injuries, and around 189,517 e-scooter injuries in the U.S.
Both conventional and electric bike and scooter injuries were more common in urban areas. E-bike and e-scooter riders were generally older and engaged in riskier behaviors, such as riding without a helmet or while intoxicated, compared to conventional riders. The median age for injured e-bicyclists was 39, compared to 30 for conventional bikers. The median age for e-scooter riders was 30, compared to 11 for conventional scooter riders.
“Our study highlights a worrying trend: helmet use is lower among electric vehicle users, and risky behaviors like riding under the influence are more common,” said Kevin D. Li, a co-first author and a 2025 dual medical and master’s degree candidate at UCSF.
The researchers recommend a comprehensive approach to address these safety issues, including better urban infrastructure to support small vehicles and education campaigns to promote helmet use and sober riding.
“As micromobility becomes more common, it’s crucial to understand and tackle the safety challenges they bring,” said Dr. Benjamin N. Breyer, the study’s senior author and chair of the UCSF Department of Urology. “By improving urban design and encouraging safe riding habits, we can maximize the benefits of micromobility while minimizing risks, leading to safer and healthier urban environments.”
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