E-Bike and E-Scooter Injuries Surge Across the United States
Author: University of California - San Francisco
Published: 24 Jul 2024 - Updated: 8 Nov 2026
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed | Data and Statistical Analysis
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This research from UC San Francisco, published in July 2024 in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA Network Open, used the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System to compare US emergency department injuries from electric bicycles, electric scooters, conventional bicycles and conventional scooters from 2017 to 2022. E-bike injuries roughly doubled each year, rising from 751 to 23,493, while e-scooter injuries climbed from 8,566 to 56,847. Injured e-riders were older than conventional riders, wore helmets less often and were more likely to ride while intoxicated, and e-scooter riders had more internal injuries. The findings matter to riders, city planners and health systems, and to people with disabilities and seniors who may use micromobility for short trips or share sidewalks and bike lanes with fast-moving vehicles.*
At a Glance
- 1 - Micromobility use has grown about 50-fold over the past decade.
- 2 - Most injuries for all four vehicle types happened in urban areas.
- 3 - The median age of injured e-bike riders was 39, compared with 30 for regular cyclists.
- 4 - The authors called for better urban infrastructure and campaigns promoting helmet use and sober riding.
Topic Definition
- Micromobility
Micromobility refers to small, lightweight vehicles that carry one or two people for short trips, usually at speeds below about 28 miles per hour, such as electric and conventional bicycles, electric scooters and other personal transport devices. These vehicles may be privately owned or rented through shared services, and they are often used to cover the first or last mile of a journey in cities.
Overview
In the crowded urban landscape, where small electric vehicles - primarily scooters and bicycles - have transformed short distance travel, UC San Francisco researchers are reporting a major national surge in accidents tied to "micromobility."
E-bicycle injuries doubled every year from 2017 to 2022, while e-scooter injuries rose by 45 percent. Injured e-riders tended to be slightly older and wore helmets less often than conventional riders. And e-scooter riders were more likely to sustain internal injuries than conventional scooter riders, while upper extremity injuries were more common among non-EV riders.
The researchers analyzed injuries and hospitalizations from electric bicycles, electric scooters, conventional bicycles and conventional scooters. The study, which appeared July 23, 2024, in JAMA Network Open, is believed to be the first investigation into recent injury patterns in the U.S.
"The U.S. had a remarkable increase in micromobility injuries during the study period," said co-lead author Adrian Fernandez, MD, chief resident with the UCSF Department of Urology. "This increase in accidents not only introduced a demographic shift, but also underscores an urgent need for added safety measures. There are undeniable health and environmental benefits to micromobility vehicle use, but structural changes must be taken to promote safe riding."
Reshaping Urban Transportation
Micromobility, the use of small vehicles for one or two passengers, has surged 50-fold over the last decade, especially in dense areas with the introduction of electric-powered motors and ride-sharing platforms. The low-cost, low-emission scooters and bicycles can travel up to 28 miles an hour, are convenient, affordable, reduce congestion and allow riders to cover more distance with less effort.
But increasingly the vehicles are proving to be dangerous, especially in the hands of novices.
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 consumer product-related injuries since 1978. They looked at such factors as injury type (blunt, orthopedic, neurological, dental), injury region (head, neck, trunk, extremities) and helmet use.
They found that e-bicycle injuries dramatically increased from 751 in 2017 to 23,493 in 2022, and e-scooter injuries rose from 8,566 to 56,847 over that timeframe. Altogether, there were nearly 2.5 million bicycle injuries, more than 304,000 scooter injuries, 45,586 e-bicycle injuries, and some 189,517 e-scooter injuries in the U.S.
Both conventional and electric bike and scooter injuries were more common in urban settings. Electric bike and scooter riders were older and more likely to participate in risky behaviors, such as riding while intoxicated and without a helmet than conventional vehicle riders. The median age was 39 years old for injured e-bicyclists, compared to 30 for injured conventional bikers. The median age for e-scooter riders was 30 compared to 11 for conventional scooter riders.
"Our findings stress a concerning trend: helmet usage is noticeably lower among electric vehicle users, and risky behaviors, such as riding under the influence, are more prevalent," said co-first author Kevin D. Li, a 2025 dual candidate pursuing medical and master's degrees at UCSF.
The authors urged a multifaceted response, including better infrastructure in urban areas to accommodate the small vehicles, and education campaigns that promote helmet use and sober riding.
"As micromobility vehicles become more embedded in our daily lives, understanding and addressing the safety challenges they pose is critical," said senior and corresponding author Benjamin N. Breyer, MD, MAS, the Taube Family Distinguished Professor and chair of the UCSF Department of Urology, and a member of the UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
"This not only involves adapting our urban landscapes but also fostering a culture of safety among riders," Breyer said. "By doing so, we can harness the full potential of micromobility to create more sustainable, healthy, and safe urban environments."
Authors
Other authors include Hiren V. Patel, MD, PhD, Isabel Elaine Allen, PhD, Umar Ghaffar, and Nizar Hakam, all at UCSF.
Related Information
- 2-Wheel Electric Scooters, Bikes, Mopeds: Information on 2-wheel battery-powered electric scooters bicycles and mopeds including road laws motor sizes and types.
- eBikes Electric Scooters - Battery Powered Motorcycle Style Scooter: Information and reviews of battery powered 2 wheel electric scooters and bicycles including road rules and local regulations.
More on this topic: Emergency Planning Publications - Accidents and Injuries Publications - Electric Mobility Scooters Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)
What are the classes of e-bikes in the United States?
Many states use three classes: Class 1 has pedal assist up to 20 mph, Class 2 adds a throttle up to 20 mph, and Class 3 has pedal assist up to 28 mph.
Do I need a helmet to ride an e-scooter?
Rules vary by state and city, and some only require helmets for younger riders. Safety experts advise wearing one on every ride.
Are e-scooters allowed on sidewalks?
Many cities ban riding e-scooters on sidewalks to protect pedestrians, though rules differ. Check local laws before riding.
Can e-bikes help people with disabilities?
Yes, pedal assist can make cycling possible for people with limited strength, joint pain or heart and lung conditions. Adapted e-trikes are also available for people with balance issues.
What injuries are most common in e-scooter crashes?
Head injuries, fractures of the arms and wrists, and facial injuries are common, and riders may also suffer internal injuries.
How can pedestrians with disabilities stay safe around e-scooters?
Reporting badly parked scooters to the operator or city, using routes with protected bike lanes and pressing cities for clear parking rules all help.
Are e-bike batteries a fire risk?
Damaged, low-quality or improperly charged lithium-ion batteries can catch fire. Use certified batteries and chargers and avoid charging unattended overnight.
What should a new e-bike rider practice first?
Practice starting, braking and turning at low speed in a quiet area, learn how the pedal assist responds, and ride defensively in traffic.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Electric bikes and scooters can be a real help for people who find walking long distances hard or who cannot drive, but their speed and weight change the risks compared with pedal bikes. This study shows injuries rising faster than use in some groups, with helmets worn less often and alcohol playing a larger role. For people with disabilities, the concern runs both ways: riders need safe lanes and good training, and pedestrians who are blind, use wheelchairs or walk slowly need sidewalks kept clear of parked or speeding devices. Wearing a helmet, riding sober, learning the controls at low speed and checking local rules are simple steps every rider can take.*
Attribution/Source(s): This peer-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally issued as a press release by University of California - San Francisco and published on 24 Jul 2024. Last updated on 8 Nov 2026. This content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.
* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.