Can We Curb The Injuries?
With the number of injuries involving eScooters on the rise, the CDC is finally stepping in to study accidents involving eScooters. This is the first time that epidemiologists are involved in eScooter studies.
Epidemiology is a branch of medicine where they research incidence, distribution and also including the possible controls of disease and illness. In other words, these seem to be researchers that are looking for something in the equation that is happening often while riding and leading to a large majority of accidents.
Where is the study being done?
The study was launched in the Austin, Texas area where the eScooter community has grown rapidly since 2017, and the study is being done in conjunction with Austin Public Health. Most of the people that are being studied are riders, but also included in the studies are people who have been walking and may have been hit by a folding electric scooter.
Past Studies
- Consumer Reports found 1,500 people injured in 2017 on electric scooters.
- A 4 month test in Portland, Oregon found that eScooters accounted for 5% of traffic crash incidents.
- The one that I think takes the cake? People just don't wear helmets when they ride.
Did you know...
That we made a list of a variety of helmets so you can find one suitable for your riding style? Find out how you can choose the best helmet for your next eScooter outing.
On the last bullet point, it was found that 40% of eScooter accidents included a head injury. Of all accidents that were investigated, 4% of riders were wearing helmets. Writing with a little bit of an opinion based on my own experiences here: I notice that people that own their scooters are wearing helmets significantly more than those who are renting from electric scooter sharing companies. A couple companies like Voi and Lime have been stepping in to try to educate the public on eScooter rider safety and have even gone out of their way to give away free helmets to riders who make a pledge.
Please note: eScootNews.com gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Purchasing items through these links help to support our website and corresponding Youtube Channel.