MICROMOBILITY DEVICES GROW IN POPULARITY

In our continuing series on biking for National Bike Month, we take a look at e-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards. Over the last five years or so, there has been an explosion in the use of electric scooters (e-scooters), electric bikes (e-bikes) and hoverboards in cities, towns and college campuses throughout the United States. These micromobility devices have gained widespread support for a number of reasons; chief among them is their low carbon footprint.

Renting an e-scooter or e-bike is quite easy; you can access one by using an app on your phone and then zip to your destination at approximately 15 mph. But it’s not without concern; escalating use has led to deaths and disabling injuries based on epidemiological studies underscoring their risks in the last several years.

As e-scooters, hoverboards and e-bikes become more popular for personal transportation and leisure activities, emergency departments are treating an increase in injuries nationwide. A new report, Micromobility Products-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns, released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), shows that injuries associated with all micromobility devices increased nearly 21% in 2022 from 2021. Their growth and accessibility has been associated with a sharp uptick in deaths, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), internal organ injuries and extremity fractures. The speed of such devices—while certainly an attractive aspect of commuting—also can be deadly, partly related to danger to pedestrians and a lack of people wearing helmets and padding to protect their bodies. The silent nature of their electric motors also can be a danger to others, as drivers often weave in and out of traffic and sidewalks.

SOME SOBERING STATISTICS

Micromobility-related injuries have trended upward since 2017, increasing an estimated average 23% annually. The report estimates the number of injuries based on data collected from a nationally representative sample of U.S. hospitals. It shows that e-scooters continue to show increases in injuries, year-over-year, rising 22% in 2022 from 2021. Nearly half (46%) of all estimated e-bike injuries from 2017 to 2022 occurred in 2022 alone. Hoverboard injuries defied the upward trend, and decreased 26% from 2021 to 2022.

The latest data show:

• There were an estimated 360,800 emergency department visits related to all micromobility devices from 2017 through 2022.
• Fractures, followed by contusions/abrasions, are the two most common injuries. The most frequently injured body areas are the upper and lower limbs, as well as the head and neck.
• May through October had the largest percentages for both e-scooter and e-bike related injuries whereas December and January had the largest percentages for hoverboard-related injuries. 

SAFETY TIPS

• Always wear a bicycle helmet when riding to protect your head in a fall. 
• Before riding, make sure to check for any damage, which includes examining the handlebars, brakes, throttle, bell, lights, tires, cables and frame. 
• See and be seen. 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. 
• Beware of obstacles. 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.

E-SCOOTERS AND E-BIKES HIT THE ROAD IN GEORGIA

Scooters offer a new transportation option for people but can create a public safety challenge. Ordinance 18-0-1322 adopted on January 7, 2019 addresses regulations for scooter riders and helps protect everyone navigating the streets and sidewalks through the City of Atlanta.

APD along with the Department of Public Works will enforce the laws and want to make sure the public is informed. The regulations include: 

No riding scooters on the sidewalks

• Ride scooters in LIT Lanes (bike lanes) or in the right lane of the street
• No using a cell phone while riding
• Ride one person per scooter
• No blocking crosswalks, doorways, driveways or anything else
• Follow traffic laws, the flow of traffic and always yield to pedestrians

CONTACT YOUR ATTORNEY

If you are involved in an accident with a micro mobility device, contact Dave Thomas  at The Thomas Law Firm  for a free evaluation of your legal rights. Dave Thomas is an experienced personal injury attorney, and will ensure that you recover damages for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other applicable costs.