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. 2024 Dec;114(12):1365-1374.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2024.307820. Epub 2024 Sep 12.

The Burden of Injuries Associated With E-Bikes, Powered Scooters, Hoverboards, and Bicycles in the United States: 2019‒2022

Kathryn G Burford  1 , Nicole G Itzkowitz  1 , Andrew G Rundle  1 , Charles DiMaggio  1 , Stephen J Mooney  1
Affiliations

The Burden of Injuries Associated With E-Bikes, Powered Scooters, Hoverboards, and Bicycles in the United States: 2019‒2022

Kathryn G Burford et al. Am J Public Health. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Objectives. To describe the national burden of injuries associated with e-bikes, bicycles, hoverboards, and powered scooters (micromobility devices) in the United States. Methods. We compared patterns and trends for 1 933 296 estimated injuries associated with micromobility devices from 2019 to 2022 using National Electronic Injury Surveillance System data. Results. The population-based rates of e-bike and powered scooter injuries increased by 293.0% and 88.0%, respectively. When reported, powered scooter injuries had the highest proportion for alcohol use (9.0%) compared with other modes, whereas e-bike injuries had the highest proportion for motor vehicle involvement (35.4%). Internal injuries were more likely among e-bike diagnoses than hoverboard and bicycle (P < .05), but fractures and concussions were more likely among hoverboard diagnoses compared with all other devices (P < .05). When helmet use was identified in clinical notes (20.3%), helmet usage was higher among e-bike injuries (43.8%) compared with powered scooter (34.8%) and hoverboard (30.3%) injuries but lower compared with bicycle injuries (48.7%). Conclusions. The incidence of severe e-bike and powered scooter injuries increased over the 4-year period. Public health stakeholders should focus on improved surveillance and prevention of injuries associated with electric micromobility devices. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(12):1365-1374. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307820).

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