WASHINGTON — The rise in popularity of personal transportation options such as electric scooters and e-bikes has resulted in more injuries across the country, according to a new study.
The report, "Micromobility Products-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns," which was released Tuesday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), shows that injuries involving all forms of micromobility devices increased nearly 21% in 2022 compared to the previous year. These types of injuries have trended upward since 2017, showing an estimated average of 23% annually.
The estimates about the injuries are based on U.S. hospitals. They show that injuries from e-scooters have increased 22%, between 2021 and 2022. Around 46% of all estimated e-bike injuries from 2017 to 2022 happened last year.
Unlike e-bikes and e-scooters, hoverboard injuries decreased by 26% from 2021 to 2022.
CPSC stated that there has also been 233 deaths associated with micromobility devices from 2017 through 2022. In addition, people who are 14-years-old and younger make up around 36% of the injuries from 2017 to 2022, this is double their proportion of the U.S. population, according to the report.
Fires are a significant hazard as well among these devices, with 19 deaths reported from Jan. 1, 2021 through Nov. 28, 2022.
Here some steps people can take to prevent fires with these devices:
- CPSC urges consumers to only use micromobility products that have been designed, manufactured, and certified for compliance with the applicable consensus safety standards.
- Always be present when charging micromobility products, never while sleeping, and only use the supplied charger.
- Only use an approved replacement battery pack.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper charging and unplug the device when done.
- Never use an micromobility device with a battery pack that has been modified by unqualified personnel or with re-purposed or used cells.
- Never throw lithium batteries into the trash or general recycling. Instead, take them to your local battery recycler or hazardous waste collection center.
Here are some tips to help avoid collisions with motor vehicles and control issues that lead to hazards:
- Always wear a bicycle helmet when riding.
- Before riding, make sure to check for any damage, which includes examining the handlebars, brakes, throttle, bell, lights, tires, cables and frame.
- Most deaths involve motor vehicles. Many micromobility products are small, quick, and quiet, making it difficult for others to spot you, especially in parking lots and structures.
- Expect vehicle drivers and pedestrians not to see you; slow down and stay aware of your surroundings.
- Use the bell/horn to alert others.
- Do not make abrupt, unpredictable movements.
- E-scooters have small tires, so objects and uneven surfaces can cause them to stop suddenly, throwing you off.
- Always keep both hands on the handlebars and keep items off the handlebars.
- Slow down and lean back when you have to ride over bumps.
- Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Only one person per scooter; additional riders can increase the risk and severity of collisions.
- Follow all manufacturer directions, review the safety information and identify and weight and age limits for the device.