Micromobility typically refers to small, low-speed transportation devices powered by humans or electricity, for example, e-bikes, bicycles, hoverboards or powered scooters. The researchers from Columbia University analysed patterns from nearly 2 million injuries associated with this type of transport. The data on injuries came from 96 hospitals across theUSA via the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS).
293% increase in e-bike injuries
The study found that the rate of e-bike and powered scooter injuries increased from 2019 to 2022 by 293% and 88% respectively. Here are the different modes of micromobility and their share of the injuries.
- Bicycles accounted for 33,2 injuries per 1,000 total emergency department injuries
- Powered scooter injuries accounted for 3,4 injuries
- Hoverboard injuries accounted for 1,8 injuries
- E-bike injuries accounted for 1,2 injuries
“Our results underscore the urgent need to improve micromobility injury surveillance and to identify strategies for cities to improve user’s safety so that micromobility can be a safe, sustainable, equitable, and healthy option for transportation. Understanding how injury types and risk factors vary by mode can inform emergency department utilisation, resource allocation, and intervention strategies and policies to promote safe micromobility use,” said the study’s first author Kathryn Burford, PhD.
Who was injured most often?
The researchers looked at injury prevalence by age. The age group below 18 years old was most prone to hoverboard injuries.
- 76% of all hoverboard injuries
- 14,5% of all e-bike injuries
- 16% of all powered scooter injuries
The middle age group 18 to 44 years old was most injured on powered scooters.
- 57% of powered scooter injuries
- 49% of e-bike injuries
- 31% of bicycle injuries
The oldest age group 65+ had the highest proportion of micromobility injuries on bicycles closely followed by e-bikes. The proportion of men injured in a powered scooter and bicycle-related incident was higher compared to women.
Who was wearing a helmet and who was under the influence?
The study found that people injured on bicycles and e-bikes were more likely to use helmets than those injured on powered scooters or hoverboards. Hoverboard injuries were more likely to be diagnosed as concussions. Interestingly, powered scooter injuries had the highest prevalence of alcohol use, e-bike injuries were in 2nd place.
“Legislation is lacking on where micromobility devices can be ridden and legislation regulating the riding of these devices while under the influence of alcohol or other recreational drugs is inconsistent and historically difficult to pass,” commented Kathryn Burford.
Protected bike lanes are needed
The authors of the study concluded that it’s key to improve the availability of active transportation infrastructure such as protected bicycle lanes. These are the quickest strategies to implement for making streets safer for micromobility users.
