Authorities See Whopping 127% Spike In E-Scooter, E-Bike, Hoverboard Injuries

Authorities are urging users of micromobility devices to take extra care. A new report showed a 127% increase in injuries related to these devices, which include hoverboards, e-bikes and e-scooters.

From 2017 to 2021, there were a total of 267,700 emergency department visits (ED) related to all micromobility products, according to a new report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), released Tuesday.

Compared to 2017 when there were 34,000 micromobility device-associated ED visits, this figure was 77,200 in 2021, marking a 127% increase.

E-scooters accounted for the highest increase, the CPSC noted in a news release, with the numbers jumping from 7,700 in 2017 to a staggering 42,200 in 2021.

E-bikes, on the other hand, accounted for 11% of the overall micromobility device injuries during the time period, while hoverboards saw a 15% decrease from the 2020 estimate.

The CPSC also logged 129 fatalities related to micromobility products from 2017-21, with E-scooters accounting for 68 (53%) of the total fatalities. E-bikes accounted for 53 (41%) of the total fatalities, while eight were linked to hoverboards "during the five-year timeframe."

"The number of fatalities has been increasing steadily from 5 in 2017, to 48 in 2021," the agency noted in the report.

Accidents with motor vehicles and user-control issues were found to be the top hazards linked with E-scooter and E-bike fatalities. In the case of hoverboards, fires were still the main issue, with four fatalities linked to hoverboard-related fires.

Authorities also conducted a special study on E-scooters following 307 injury cases reported in 2021. They found that 44% of the ED visits in the special study were linked to rental E-scooters. Twenty-one percent of the users said that it was "dark or difficult to see," while 26% were holding something while riding.

Interestingly, the agency also found that Black users accounted for 31% of the ED visits, which is said to be much higher than their estimated 13% share of the nationwide population, according to CPSC.

Given the dire numbers, the agency is urging users of these devices to take extra caution. This includes engaging in safety measures such as wearing a helmet, having a horn or bell to alert others on the road, not making "unpredictable" movements, and being aware of obstacles on the road.

It's also important to check the device for damages before using it, the agency said, and to make sure that you are aware of your surroundings as "most deaths involve motor vehicles." Such micromobility devices, it noted, tend to be small and silent. Keep both hands on the handlebars and, of course, never ride these devices if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

On National Fire Prevention Week, the agency is urging users of these devices to learn more about how to prevent fires related to the lithium-ion batteries that power their devices.

"E-scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards have grown in popularity among Americans in recent years, as a way to get to and from work or school, or for fun," the agency said. "In light of the spike in injuries, CPSC reminds consumers to use caution and safety with these devices."