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10 proven tips to avoid injuries on bicycles and electric scooters

   September 17, 2024
10 proven tips to avoid injuries on bicycles and electric scooters


Have you ever ridden a scooter or an electric bike? These “micromobility” modes of transport are undoubtedly practical, affordable and fun to use. But did you find them a little dangerous?

In fact, the number of accidents involving electric bikes and scooters is increasing. Given their remarkable rise in popularity, this may not come as a surprise. Then there’s the way cyclists frequently use them: at high speeds, near cars and pedestrians, and on roads and sidewalks not designed for them.

Disruptive developments such as electric bikes and electric scooters always come with downsides. How can we reduce the risk of accidents?

Electric bicycles, scooters and injuries


Between 2018 and 2022, sales of electric bicycles increased by approximately 250,000 per year to more than a million. The rental of bicycles and electric scooters has also increased considerablyAs electric bikes and scooters become more popular, emergency services are seeing an increase in the number of people injured while riding them.

TO Study 2024 This is emphasized in JAMA Network Open. Researchers used data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. They compared emergency room visits between 2017 and 2022 for people injured while riding a bicycle or electric scooter with those for people injured while riding traditional bicycles and scooters.

What did the study discover?


During the six-year study period, approximately three million people riding e-bikes, e-scooters, or their conventional equivalents sought care in emergency rooms, including approximately 45,500 e-bike users and 190,000 e-scooter users, as well as approximately 2.5 million conventional bicycle users and 305,000 conventional scooter users.

Various themes have been developed around electric micromobility:

Emergency care has increased dramatically.

  • E-bike injuries have more than doubled each year, from 751 in 2017 to 23,493 in 2022.
  • Injuries from electric scooters have increased by more than 45% each year, from 8,566 in 2017 to 56,847 in 2022.

Most dangerous behaviors

  • 43% of e-bike and e-scooter users wore helmets, compared to 52% of conventional micromobility users.
  • 7% of e-bike riders and 9% of e-scooter riders had consumed alcohol before their accidents, compared with 4% of conventional bicycle riders and 3% of conventional scooter riders.
More accidents occurred in urban areas than in rural areas.

  • 83% of accidents occur with bicycles and electric scooters
  • 71% of typical motorcycle and scooter accidents.
All cyclists had similar injuries, the most common being scrapes, bruises, bone fractures and head and neck injuries.

What are the limitations of the study?


This study only included patients evaluated in an emergency room, so it excluded people with less severe injuries, as well as those with significant injuries who did not go to an emergency room. Some may not have sought medical care at all or may have gone to a primary care office or walk-in clinic to avoid costly emergency room care, among other reasons.

The study did not take into account injuries to pedestrians caused by riders of bicycles or electric scooters. Material damage, such as that caused to a car, was not calculated.

Finally, the study cannot compare the safety of electric bicycles and scooters with conventional options, as no information was collected on the number of kilometres travelled by a particular mode of transport or for how long.

How to prevent injuries on electric bikes or scooters?

Ten common-sense procedures will help you avoid injuries and visits to the emergency room.

Wear a helmetIf you rent a bike or electric scooter, you may need to bring your own helmet, as many rental companies do not provide them.

PracticeE-bikes are significantly heavier than standard bicycles and may handle differently. Many adults have not ridden a scooter since elementary school. Therefore, if you are not familiar with riding an electric bike or scooter, practice in a safe area free of traffic and people.

Respect traffic regulations. Avoid riding on sidewalks and instead use available bike lanes. On an e-bike, use arm signals to let anyone nearby know that you want to turn or change lanes. (When riding an e-scooter, it's best to keep both hands on the handlebars at all times.

DecelerateSome electric bikes reach speeds of over 30 mph. The faster you ride, the less time you have to react to unexpected bumps or swerving vehicles, and the more likely you are to be seriously injured if you are involved in an accident.

Reduced risksDo not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or use your phone while driving.

Do it aloneDon't add more passengers. Most bikes and scooters are designed for one passenger at a time.

Driving defensively. Watch out for potholes and opening car doors.

ReflectIf you drive at night, wear bright clothing or place a light.

Shout. Warn others of your presence. Shout “on your left!” when approaching pedestrians or slower motorcyclists whom you intend to pass.

LobbyContact your local officials to advocate for bike lanes and other infrastructure to improve micromobility safety.

In conclusion

Bikes and electric scooters are a great way to get around, whether as part of your daily commute, a quick trip from point A to point B, or just a fun ride. While they are risky, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce the likelihood of ending your trip with a visit to the emergency room.

Photo by JONATHAN PAGAOA



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