Electric Scooter Safety: Breaking Down the Danger with Data

By understanding the available data, following safety guidelines, and using common sense, you can minimize your risk and enjoy the many benefits of electric scooters .y understanding the available data, following safety guidelines, and using common sense, you can minimize your risk and enjoy the many benefits of electric scooters By understanding the available data, following safety guidelines, and using common sense, you can minimize your risk and enjoy the many benefits of electric scooters .y understanding the available data, following safety guidelines, and using common sense, you can minimize your risk and enjoy the many benefits of electric scooters By understanding the available data, following safety guidelines, and using common sense, you can minimize your risk and enjoy the many benefits of electric scooters .y understanding the available data, following safety guidelines, and using common sense, you can minimize your risk and enjoy the many benefits of electric scooters By understanding the available data, following safety guidelines, and using common sense, you can minimize your risk and enjoy the many benefits of electric scooters .y understanding the available data, following safety guidelines, and using common sense, you can minimize your risk and enjoy the many benefits of electric scooters .s electric scooters continue to surge in popularity, concerns over their potential dangers have come to the forefront. It's true that scooters can pose risks to riders and pedestrians alike, but understanding the severity of these dangers — and taking measures to mitigate them — can help put the situation into perspective. In this article, we explore the available data on e-scooter injuries, compare it to other modes of transportation, and discuss the steps you can take to stay safe while scooting.

To assess the danger posed by electric scooters, it's important to consider not only raw injury statistics but also the context in which these incidents occur. According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Austin Public Health, e-scooters are responsible for 20 injuries per 100,000 trips. While this number may seem high, it is worth noting that the research only focused on a single city and did not include the number of safe, injury-free rides taken during the same period.

The same study also revealed that nearly half of the reported e-scooter injuries resulted from falls, while 12% were attributed to collisions with motor vehicles, and 10% were caused by hitting stationary objects. The remaining 27% of injuries were caused by various other factors, including scooter malfunctions and encounters with pedestrians.

Importantly, the research showed that only 1% of injured e-scooter riders were wearing a helmet. This highlights the fact that wearing proper safety gear can greatly reduce the risk of injury.

Now, let's compare the dangers associated with electric scooters to those of other modes of transportation. According to the National Safety Council, bicycles are responsible for 23.1 injuries per 100,000 hours of use, while motor vehicles account for 39.6 injuries per 100,000 hours. Although these figures are not directly comparable to the e-scooter data, they suggest that scooters are not necessarily more dangerous than other popular transportation options.

To minimize the risk of injury, e-scooter riders should adhere to the following safety guidelines:

1. Wear a helmet, along with elbow and knee pads if desired.


2. Follow traffic rules and ride in the designated bike lanes when possible.


3. Maintain a safe speed and use caution when navigating around pedestrians, vehicles, and other obstacles.


4. Inspect your scooter before each ride to ensure that it is in proper working order.


5. Do not carry other passengers, ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or use your phone while scooting.

In conclusion, while electric scooters can pose a risk to riders and pedestrians, they are not inherently more dangerous than other modes of transportation. By understanding the available data, following safety guidelines, and using common sense, you can minimize your risk and enjoy the many benefits of electric scooters.