Electric “Scooters” Take the City by Storm—And the Hospital Beds
Since the late‑2017 e‑scooter craze broke out in the U.S., more than 1,500 folks have had to get a doctor’s eye on their injuries. Consumer Reports ran a survey that pulled data from 110 hospitals and five emergency‑service agencies across 47 cities where the top two brands, Bird and Lime, roam.
What the Numbers Say
- 1,542 emergency‑room visits for scooter mishaps (concussions, broken noses, front‑arm fractures, you name it).
- That figure doesn’t even include four reported deaths linked to e‑scooters.
- Hospitals admitted their records are incomplete, missing details for half the cases and lacking a proper way to calculate accidents per mile traveled.
- Medical experts suspect the real injury tally is higher—because many hospitals can’t yet tag a case as a “scooter injury” in their systems.
Safety: The Fine Line Between Fun and Tragedy
While the two big names in the industry constantly remind riders to wear helmets, regulatory standards are still a long way off. Most U.S. cities have no mandates that drivers…uh…need to stop for an e‑scooter rider.
On a recent Tuesday, the report’s author, William Wallace, summed it up: “Electric scooters are a promising new transportation option, but safety always must come first.”
Why the Numbers Have Trouble Holding Weight
Bill White, Bird’s safety director, criticized the data gaps: “The injury figures lack context. They don’t account for how many people actually use scooters.”
White also dropped a memorable line to paint a bigger picture: “Driving is far deadlier for everyone—6,000 U.S. pedestrians lost their lives in 2017 alone.” He contrasts that with the potential benefits: “We’re proud to help people ditch cars and build a safer, greener city.”
Beyond the Bottom Line: The Big-Business Side
Fast‑growing startups Bird and Lime now boast valuations top‑tier of the trillion‑dollar club. And they’re not the only players: Lyft, Ford’s Spin, and Skip have thrown their hats into the e‑scooter mix.
Looking Ahead
Unless we get better data on how many people hop around on these two‑wheel marvels, comparing scooter safety with bicycles or cars will remain a wild guess. For now, the only thing certain is that when you ride an e‑scooter, you’re probably getting a side of adrenaline—and, occasionally, a footsore that’s worth a visit to the ER.
