A recent 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open reveals a dramatic rise in emergency room visits associated with e-bike and e-scooter accidents, a trend that is drawing increasing concern in Southern California.
Researchers analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System between 2017 and 2022 and found that approximately three million ER visits were linked to injuries sustained while riding electric and conventional micromobility devices.
E-bike injuries more than doubled over the six-year period, escalating from 751 cases in 2017 to 23,493 in 2022. Similarly, e-scooter injuries increased by over 45% each year, reaching 56,847 cases by 2022.
The study also noted riskier behavior among e-bike and e-scooter riders, with only 43% wearing helmets compared to 52% of conventional riders, and higher incidences of intoxication were reported among electric micromobility users.
Additionally, 83% of e-bike and e-scooter accidents occurred in urban areas, a stark contrast to 71% for their conventional counterparts.
However, the study is limited to injuries treated in emergency rooms, excluding many minor or unreported incidents, and does not account for pedestrian injuries or property damage. The findings underscore the need for improved safety measures as e-micromobility devices become increasingly popular among children, teens, and commuters in the region.
