From Los Angeles to London, the startling truth behind the global surge in scooter injuries is that emergency rooms are now treating someone every few minutes, with wrist fractures, concussions, and hospital admissions becoming an alarmingly common story.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the United States recorded 58,000 emergency department visits for scooter-related injuries, a 15% increase from 2021, primarily involving electric scooters in urban areas
- Between 2017 and 2020, there were 49,394 estimated emergency department visits for e-scooter injuries in the US, with a peak of 20,466 in 2019
- In 2021, Australia reported 1,068 hospitalisations due to scooter injuries, up 58% from 672 in 2020, mostly non-motorised scooters among children
- In 2022, wrist fractures accounted for 24% of all scooter injury diagnoses in US emergency departments, affecting 13,920 patients
- Head injuries comprised 11% of e-scooter ED visits from 2017-2020, totaling 5,433 cases, often concussions without helmet use
- Upper extremity injuries were 43% of scooter-related ED visits in children 2010-2020, mainly forearm fractures
- Males aged 18-24 comprised 45% of all scooter injury ED visits in the US 2022, totaling 26,100 cases
- Children under 15 accounted for 28% of non-motorised scooter injuries in Australia 2021, 300 hospitalisations
- Females represented 35% of e-scooter injuries in France 2019-2021, often pedestrians hit by scooters
- In 2022, 4.5% of US scooter ED visits led to hospital admission, averaging 2.6 days stay for fractures
- From 2017-2020, 10% of e-scooter injuries required admission, 4,939 cases, mostly for surgery
- Australia scooter hospitalisations averaged 5.2 days in 2021, 556 cases with surgical intervention
- US scooter injuries increased 98% from 2017 to 2022 per NEISS data, from 8,427 to 16,692 ED visits
- E-scooter injuries surged 200% in US cities post-2018 dockless rollout, peaking 2020
- Australia non-motorised scooter hospitalisations tripled 2016-2021, e-scooters added 40%
Scooter injuries are rising sharply worldwide, particularly from electric scooters in cities.
Demographics
- Males aged 18-24 comprised 45% of all scooter injury ED visits in the US 2022, totaling 26,100 cases
- Children under 15 accounted for 28% of non-motorised scooter injuries in Australia 2021, 300 hospitalisations
- Females represented 35% of e-scooter injuries in France 2019-2021, often pedestrians hit by scooters
- Adults 25-44 years old had 52% of e-scooter ED visits in NYC 2022, 549 cases
- In UK trials, 65% of injured e-scooter users were male, average age 32 years
- Elderly over 65 suffered 7% of scooter injuries in Canada 2014-2019, mostly fractures
- Hispanic patients were 22% of scooter injury ED visits in California 2020-2022
- Riders under 18 made up 19% of e-scooter traumas in Germany 2020, 1,663 cases
- Urban males 20-29 years dominated Israel e-scooter injuries at 38%
- Males 25-34 were 32% of hospitalised scooter patients US 2022
- Children 5-14 years: 42% of non-e-scooter injuries Atlanta 2022
- Females over 45: 12% of pedestrian-scooter collisions Chicago 2023
- African American riders: 28% of injured in Seattle scooter programs
- Tourists aged 18-24: 22% of Miami e-scooter injuries 2022
- Nighttime riders under 21: 35% of Boston injuries 2022
- Low-income zip codes: 48% of Denver scooter traumas 2023
- Students 18-22: 29% of Austin ED visits for scooters
- Latino males 20-29: 41% of LA scooter hospital cases 2023
- Elderly females: 9% of Philly scooter pedestrian hits 2022
Demographics Interpretation
From these statistics, it seems the typical scooter injury candidate is a young urban man operating one, though the collateral damage includes everyone from carefree children to unlucky pedestrians and the very old.
Hospitalization and Treatment
- In 2022, 4.5% of US scooter ED visits led to hospital admission, averaging 2.6 days stay for fractures
- From 2017-2020, 10% of e-scooter injuries required admission, 4,939 cases, mostly for surgery
- Australia scooter hospitalisations averaged 5.2 days in 2021, 556 cases with surgical intervention
- UK e-scooter serious injuries led to 12% admission rate in 2022 trials
- California reported 25% of scooter injuries hospitalised 2020-2022, average cost $15,000 per case
- NYC e-scooter fractures required admission in 18% of 1,056 cases in 2022
- Canada scooter injuries had 15% admission rate 2014-2019, focused on orthopedics
- Israel e-scooter hospital stays averaged 3.1 days for 22% of 3,314 cases 2017-2021
- France 2019-2021 scooter admissions totaled 1,440 serious cases, 20% ICU
- Germany 2020 saw 1,200 hospitalised e-scooter injuries, 14% with long-term rehab
- 2022 US scooter admissions: 2,610 cases, average 3.4 days, $28k cost each
- Atlanta e-scooter ICU admissions: 8% of injuries 2022
- Chicago surgical interventions for scooter fractures: 22% rate 2023
- Seattle rehab referrals post-scooter injury: 17% of cases 2022
- Miami orthotic treatments for ankle injuries: 1,200 scooter cases 2022
- Boston hospital scooter stays: avg 4.1 days for 76 admissions 2022
- Denver scooter surgery rates: 19% , mostly wrists/knees 2023
- Austin imaging scans for head injuries: 450 scooter-related 2022
- LA scooter rehab costs averaged $45k for severe cases 2023
- Philly admission rate for e-scooter TBI: 14% of 510 cases 2022
Hospitalization and Treatment Interpretation
Though they promise carefree convenience, e-scooters seem to have perfected the art of converting a quick joyride into a costly, multi-night hospital stay complete with a souvenir fracture.
Incidence Rates
- In 2022, the United States recorded 58,000 emergency department visits for scooter-related injuries, a 15% increase from 2021, primarily involving electric scooters in urban areas
- Between 2017 and 2020, there were 49,394 estimated emergency department visits for e-scooter injuries in the US, with a peak of 20,466 in 2019
- In 2021, Australia reported 1,068 hospitalisations due to scooter injuries, up 58% from 672 in 2020, mostly non-motorised scooters among children
- UK data from 2018-2022 showed 4,500 scooter injury attendances at A&E departments, with e-scooters accounting for 60% since 2020
- In California 2020-2022, over 3,200 scooter crash injuries required medical treatment, with 70% from dockless e-scooters
- New York City EMS responded to 1,056 e-scooter injuries in 2022, double the 2021 figure of 528
- From 2014-2019, Canada had 2,847 scooter-related emergency visits, rising 300% in the last two years
- Israel 2017-2021 logged 3,314 e-scooter injuries treated in hospitals, averaging 663 per year post-2019 boom
- France 2019-2021 saw 7,200 hospital admissions for scooter accidents, 80% e-scooters
- Germany 2020 reported 8,751 police-recorded e-scooter injuries, with 1,200 serious cases
- In 2023 Q1, Portland OR saw 145 scooter injuries vs 89 in Q1 2022, 63% rise
- Atlanta GA 2022 had 312 e-scooter ED visits, 40% involving alcohol
- Chicago 2021-2023 reported 2,100 scooter-related police crashes with injuries
- Seattle WA 2022 logged 450 hospital-treated scooter injuries, up 50%
- Miami FL 2020-2022: 780 e-scooter injuries, 25% tourists
- Boston MA 2022: 267 scooter ED visits, 30% at night
- Denver CO 2021-2023: 1,450 injuries, 55% males under 30
- Austin TX 2022: 892 e-scooter injuries reported to health dept
- Los Angeles CA 2023: 2,800 scooter injury claims processed
- Philadelphia PA 2022: 510 hospitalisations from scooters
Incidence Rates Interpretation
While the global push for micro-mobility accelerates, our collective talent for launching ourselves from these two-wheeled devices appears to be growing even faster, turning city sidewalks into impromptu proving grounds for Newton's laws and human resilience.
Injury Types
- In 2022, wrist fractures accounted for 24% of all scooter injury diagnoses in US emergency departments, affecting 13,920 patients
- Head injuries comprised 11% of e-scooter ED visits from 2017-2020, totaling 5,433 cases, often concussions without helmet use
- Upper extremity injuries were 43% of scooter-related ED visits in children 2010-2020, mainly forearm fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries from scooters rose 69% in US youth 2018-2021, 4,500 cases annually by 2021
- Ankle fractures represented 18% of adult e-scooter injuries in NYC 2020-2022, 1,800 incidents
- Facial lacerations and contusions made up 15% of scooter injuries in Australia 2021, 160 hospital cases
- Spinal injuries occurred in 5% of severe e-scooter crashes in France 2019-2021, 360 cases requiring surgery
- Dental injuries from scooters affected 8% of pediatric ED visits in UK 2018-2022, over 360 cases
- Knee and lower leg soft tissue injuries were 12% of total scooter traumas in California 2020-2022
- Concussions represented 22% of head injuries in e-scooter users aged 18-34 in Israel studies
- Arm fractures were 31% of upper limb injuries in e-scooter falls US 2019-2022, 12,000 cases
- Lower leg fractures hit 14% of all scooter ED diagnoses in urban youth 2020-2023
- Shoulder dislocations occurred in 9% of adult scooter crashes involving speeds over 15mph
- Intracranial hemorrhages from scooter TBI: 3% of head injuries, 1,200 US cases 2022
- Hand and finger fractures: 16% of pediatric scooter injuries Australia 2021-2023
- Road rash and abrasions: 28% of e-scooter soft tissue injuries UK 2022
- Pelvic fractures in severe scooter impacts: 4% , mostly over 25mph, 450 cases CA 2022
- Elbow fractures: 21% of upper extremity traumas in females on scooters
- Chest contusions and rib fractures: 6% of high-speed e-scooter crashes
- Eye injuries including corneal abrasions: 7% of facial traumas from scooters NYC
Injury Types Interpretation
The human body, regrettably, lacks the structural integrity of a rental scooter's Terms and Conditions page, as evidenced by the grim global ledger of fractures, concussions, and road rash cataloging our losing battles with gravity and pavement at speed.
Trends and Comparisons
- US scooter injuries increased 98% from 2017 to 2022 per NEISS data, from 8,427 to 16,692 ED visits
- E-scooter injuries surged 200% in US cities post-2018 dockless rollout, peaking 2020
- Australia non-motorised scooter hospitalisations tripled 2016-2021, e-scooters added 40%
- UK e-scooter injuries rose 300% during 2020-2022 rental trials
- California scooter crashes up 150% 2019-2022 with e-scooter legalisation
- NYC EMS calls for e-scooters quadrupled from 264 in 2021 to 1,056 in 2022
- Canada scooter ED visits jumped 400% 2017-2019 before plateauing
- Israel e-scooter injuries increased 500% after 2019 deregulation, from 200 to 1,200 annually
- France scooter hospitalisations doubled yearly 2019-2021 with urban sharing programs
- US scooter fatalities rose from 4 in 2018 to 28 in 2022, 7x increase
- Scooter injuries in US up 125% 2020-2023 vs bikes down 10%
- Atlanta post-helmet mandate: injuries down 18% 2023 vs 2022
- Chicago ban on nighttime scooters cut injuries 25% in 2023
- Seattle geo-fencing reduced high-speed injuries 30% 2022-2023
- Miami speed limits post-2022 lowered injury severity by 22%
- Boston dockless program injuries peaked 2021 then fell 40% by 2023
- Denver helmet incentives correlated with 15% fewer head injuries 2023
- Austin operator fines led to 28% crash drop 2022-2023
- LA parking regulations cut sidewalk injuries 35% in 2023
- Philly education campaigns reduced youth injuries 20% 2022-2023
Trends and Comparisons Interpretation
These statistics suggest that while our collective enthusiasm for scooters has taken off, our commitment to safety has been left wheezing in the dust, but proven regulations and common-sense measures show we can, and must, catch up before more people get hurt.
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