Micromobility Accidents ‌Surge Across U.S., Study Finds

⁣ ⁣ Updated June 11, 2025

A new ‌study from UC San Francisco highlights a critically important increase​ in injuries related to micromobility vehicles, specifically e-scooters and e-bikes.The research points to a surge in accidents across the U.S., raising concerns ⁤about safety as​ these modes of transportation become more popular.

The study, published in JAMA ​Network Open, indicates that e-bicycle injuries doubled each year between ​2017 ‌and ⁣2022. During ‌the same period, e-scooter injuries ​rose by 45%. Researchers analyzed data from emergency⁤ departments, considering factors like injury type, affected ⁢body region, and helmet use.

The ‌data revealed that injured electric ⁣vehicle riders were⁣ generally ​older and less likely to wear helmets compared to riders of conventional bicycles and scooters. E-scooter riders also showed a higher likelihood of sustaining internal injuries, while upper extremity injuries were more common among conventional scooter and bike users. The rise in micromobility injuries underscores the​ need for enhanced safety measures.

the⁤ study examined nearly 2.5 million bicycle injuries,over 304,000⁤ scooter injuries,45,586 ⁣e-bicycle ‌injuries,and approximately 189,517 e-scooter injuries in the⁢ U.S. during the study period. Both conventional and electric bike and scooter accidents were more prevalent in urban environments.

Notably, electric bike and ⁤scooter riders were more prone to risky behaviors, including riding under the influence and​ without helmets. The median age for ‍injured e-bicyclists was 39, compared to 30⁤ for conventional ‌bikers. For e-scooter riders, the median age was 30, while it was just 11 for conventional scooter riders. This e-scooter accident data highlights the need for⁢ targeted safety interventions.

​ “The U.S. had a remarkable increase in ​micromobility injuries during the study period,” said Dr. Adrian Fernandez, chief resident with the UCSF‌ Department of ​Urology. “This increase in accidents not only introduced a demographic shift, but also underscores an urgent need for added ⁤safety measures. There are undeniable health and environmental benefits to‌ micromobility vehicle use,​ but structural changes must be taken to promote‍ safe riding.”

‌ “Our findings stress a concerning‍ trend: helmet usage is noticeably lower among electric vehicle users, and risky behaviors, such as riding ⁣under the influence, ‌are more prevalent,” said kevin D. Li, a dual degree candidate at UCSF.

The authors advocate for a extensive approach, including improved urban infrastructure to accommodate micromobility vehicles and public education campaigns promoting helmet use and responsible riding habits.

⁣ “As micromobility vehicles become ⁤more embedded in our daily lives, understanding and addressing⁤ the ⁤safety challenges⁢ they pose is critical,” said Dr.Benjamin N. breyer,‍ chair of the UCSF Department of Urology. ⁤”This not only involves adapting our ​urban landscapes but also fostering a culture⁢ of safety among riders. By doing ⁢so, we can⁣ harness the full potential of micromobility to create more sustainable, health, and safe urban​ environments.”

What’s next

Future efforts should focus on implementing safer infrastructure and promoting​ responsible riding⁤ to mitigate the ⁤rising tide of micromobility-related injuries.