Emergency departments have seen an increase in injuries due to the use of e-scooters and e-bikes over the past year.
In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that injuries associated with these and other micromobility devices increased by nearly 21 percent from 2021 to 2022. These types of injuries have continued to trend upward since 2017.
Micromobility Device Injuries
The two most common micromobility device injuries are fractures and contusions/abrasions. The most frequently injured body parts are upper and lower limbs, head, and neck. Approximately 36% of these injuries occur in children ages 14 and younger.
CPSC also noted 233 deaths that were associated with these devices between 2017 through 2022, although reporting is ongoing.
Fires are also a significant hazard for micromobility devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters. Devices that rely on lithium ion batteries are at risk of explosion hazards. And because of the current battery design, gases that create flames are contained in a cell battery that doesn’t allow water in. It takes longer to get these types of fires under control. Firefighters have requested design changes to make it easier to fight lithium ion battery fires.
E-scooter and E-bike Safety Tips
CPSC recommends only using micromobility products that were designed, manufactured, and certified for compliance with applicable safety standards to prevent fires. Always monitor micromobility products when charging them and only use the manufacturer supplied charger. Do not sleep while these devices are charging. If you need to replace the battery pack, make sure the replacement is approved by the manufacturer.
Follow all instructions for proper charging. Unplug the device when it is finished charged. Don’t dispose of lithium batteries in the trash or general recycling. They need to be disposed of at your local battery recycler or hazardous waste collection site.
To prevent injuries when ride e-bikes and e-scooters, always wear a bicycle helmet that fits properly. Check for damage by examining the handlebars, brakes, throttle, bells, tires, cables, frame, and bell before riding. Make sure vehicle drivers and pedestrians can see you by wearing bright clothing. Assume that they can’t see you and exercise extra caution; slow down and be aware of your surroundings. Don’t make abrupt or unpredictable movements and use your bell/horn to alert others to your presence.
Be on the lookout for obstacles and never ride when under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Keep both hands on the handlebars and stick to one rider per device. Slow down and lean back if you need to ride over a bump.
You can report safety incidents or concerns with consumer products to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
