E-scooters, e-bikes and hoverboards can serve as a fun and convenient method of transportation. However, those who use these micro-mobility products need to understand the risks they face, especially if they ride close to traffic. Every year, many people suffer serious injuries and some lose their lives as a result of accidents that involve these devices.
It is pivotal for those who ride micromobility products as well as drivers, bicyclists and other road users to review data on this issue in order to understand how frequently these accidents occur.
Statistics outline the prevalence of micro-mobility accidents
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shared data on micro-mobility accidents, which have become more common in recent years. During 2017, an estimated 34,000 emergency department visits occurred due to micro-mobility product accidents. In 2021, this increased to 77,200.
E-scooters accounted for a significant portion of these emergency visits during 2021, with an estimated 42,200 instances of people seeking emergency care after an e-scooter accident. Between 2017 and 2021, an estimated 121,300 emergency department visits resulted from hoverboard accidents. During this period, e-bikes made up 11% of estimated micro-mobility device injuries.
Risks micro-mobility users face
When someone using a micro-mobility device collides with a car, truck or motorcycle, they are especially likely to sustain a serious injury. Various factors contribute to these accidents, such as poor weather, dangerous parts of the road and insufficient lighting. Furthermore, the negligent behavior of drivers causes many micro-mobility accidents, such as those who speed, fail to stop, drive drunk and become distracted by their phones.