The number of accidents involving electric scooters and bicycles is rising in the US, researchers report

In the busy urban landscape, where small electric vehicles – mainly scooters and bicycles – have transformed short-distance travel, researchers at UC San Francisco report a large national increase in accidents linked to “micromobility.”

The researchers analyzed injuries and hospitalizations from electric bicycles, electric scooters, conventional bicycles and conventional scooters. The study, which will be published on July 23 JAMA network openedis considered the first study of recent injury patterns in the US

The number of injuries from e-bikes has doubled every year between 2017 and 2022, while the number of injuries from e-scooters has increased by 45%. Injured e-riders tended to be slightly older and wore a helmet less often than conventional riders. And e-scooter riders suffered more internal injuries than conventional scooter riders, while upper extremity injuries were more common among non-EV riders.

“The US experienced a notable increase in micromobility injuries during the study period,” said co-lead author Adrian Fernandez, MD, chief resident in the UCSF Department of Urology.

“This increase in accidents has not only caused a demographic shift, but also underlines the urgent need for additional safety measures. There are undeniable health and environmental benefits associated with the use of micromobility vehicles, but structural changes must be made to promote safe driving.”

Reshaping urban transport

Micromobility, the use of small vehicles for one or two passengers, has increased fivefold in the past decade, especially in densely populated areas with the introduction of electric motorbikes and ride-sharing platforms. The low-cost, low-emission scooters and bicycles can travel up to 45 kilometers per hour, are convenient and affordable, reduce traffic congestion and allow riders to cover more distances with less effort.

But increasingly, vehicles are proving to be dangerous, especially in the hands of beginners.

The researchers analyzed data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, which has collected statistics from emergency departments on injuries related to consumer products since 1978. They looked at factors such as the type of injury (blunt, orthopedic, neurological, dental), area of ​​injury (head, neck, trunk, limbs) and helmet use.

They found that e-bike injuries increased dramatically from 751 in 2017 to 23,493 in 2022, and e-scooter injuries increased from 8,566 to 56,847 during that period. In total, there were nearly 2.5 million bicycle accidents, more than 304,000 scooter accidents, 45,586 e-bike accidents and approximately 189,517 e-scooter accidents in the US.

Both conventional and electric bicycle and scooter injuries were more common in urban environments. Drivers of electric bicycles and scooters were older and more likely to exhibit risky behavior, such as driving under the influence and without a helmet, than drivers of conventional vehicles. The average age was 39 years for injured e-cyclists, compared to 30 years for injured conventional cyclists. The average age for e-scooter riders was 30 years, compared to 11 years for conventional scooter riders.

“Our findings highlight a concerning trend: Helmet use is noticeably lower among electric vehicle users, and risky behaviors, such as drunk driving, are becoming more common,” said co-first author Kevin D. Li, a 2025 dual candidate who studied medical science. sciences. and master’s degrees from UCSF.

The authors urged a multifaceted response, including better infrastructure in urban areas to accommodate small vehicles, and education campaigns that promote helmet use and sober driving.

“As micromobility vehicles become increasingly embedded in our daily lives, it is critical to understand and address the safety challenges they pose,” said senior and corresponding author Benjamin N. Breyer, MD, MAS, the Taube Family Distinguished Professor and Chair of the UCSF Department of Urology, and member of the UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

“This includes not only adapting our urban landscapes, but also promoting a safety culture among motorcyclists,” Breyer said. “By doing this we can unleash the full potential of micromobility to create more sustainable, healthier and safer urban environments.”