Many are going to the ER.
A growing number of Americans using “micromobility” transport, such as electric bikes and e-scooters, are ending up in the emergency room, according to recent data.
Dr. Adrian Fernandez and his team at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) reported that the rate of e-bike injuries in the U.S. doubled each year from 2017 to 2022. There was also a 45% increase in injuries related to e-scooters.
“This sharp rise in accidents highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures,” Fernandez stated in a UCSF news release. The team’s findings were published on July 23 in JAMA Network Open.
The researchers pointed out that the use of small motorized vehicles has increased fifty-fold in the United States over the past decade. E-bikes and e-scooters are popular because they are eco-friendly, affordable, convenient, and can reach speeds up to 28 miles per hour. However, the surge in popularity has led to a significant increase in accidents.
Using data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, Fernandez and his colleagues found that reported injuries on e-bikes rose from 751 in 2017 to 23,493 in 2022. Similarly, e-scooter injuries increased from 8,566 to 56,847 over the same period.
The study also found that users of electric bikes and e-scooters tend to exhibit more risky behaviors, such as riding without helmets or while intoxicated, compared to those riding conventional bikes. The average age of e-bike users seen in emergency rooms was 39, compared to 30 for traditional bike users.
“Our findings highlight a troubling trend: helmet usage is significantly lower among electric vehicle users, and risky behaviors like riding under the influence are more common,” said Kevin Li, a medical student at UCSF and co-first author of the study.
Addressing the rising injury rates is crucial, according to Dr. Benjamin Breyer, senior author of the study and chair of the UCSF Department of Urology. “As micromobility vehicles become more integrated into our daily lives, understanding and addressing their safety challenges is essential,” Breyer emphasized. “This involves not only adapting urban landscapes but also promoting a culture of safety among riders. By doing so, we can fully leverage the benefits of micromobility to create more sustainable, healthy, and safe urban environments.”
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