Enhancing Safety in the Rapidly Growing Micromobility Sector: The Need for a Centralized Injury Data System and Responsible Use Guidelines

While this article is primarily aimed at public health and highway safety professionals, policymakers, and urban planners, it also offers valuable safety tips for the general public and caregivers. As micromobility—such as e-bikes and e-scooters—continues to grow rapidly, understanding how to stay safe is essential for all users and those responsible for their well-being. Recent reports from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) highlight concerning injury and fatality trends, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated efforts. Implementing a centralized injury data system, complemented by the formation of a dedicated task force, will help develop more effective safety policies and infrastructure improvements, ultimately reducing injuries and saving lives. At the end of this article, caregivers and users are provided with safety tips to help mitigate risks and promote responsible use of micromobility devices.

The Rise of Micromobility in Urban Transportation
Micromobility, encompassing light vehicles such as bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters, has become an integral part of sustainable urban transportation. With the convenience of short-distance travel and the proliferation of shared fleets—often rented via mobile apps—micromobility has experienced exponential growth. In the United States alone, trips on shared bikes and e-scooters more than doubled from 2017 to 2018, totaling nearly 84 million trips in 2018. As this mode of transport becomes more prevalent, understanding its safety profile is critically important.

Concerning Injury and Fatality Trends: Insights from the CPSC
Recent data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reveals that injuries and fatalities related to micromobility devices are rising at an alarming rate. The CPSC’s latest report indicates that, despite various existing databases, injury and fatality data are fragmented, making it difficult to develop comprehensive safety strategies. The report emphasizes the necessity for a coordinated national effort to track these injuries systematically.

Key findings include:

• Increased Injury Rates: Emergency department visits involving e-scooters and e-bikes continue to climb, with many injuries resulting in hospitalization or worse.
• Fatalities on the Rise: The CPSC reports a concerning increase in fatalities, particularly involving high-speed e-scooters and e-bikes, often due to head injuries or collisions with motor vehicles.
• Vulnerable Populations at Risk: Young adults, minorities, and inexperienced riders are disproportionately affected, but data gaps hinder targeted interventions.

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​These troubling trends highlight the urgent need for a dedicated task force to oversee injury prevention efforts, data collection, and policy implementation.

The Need for a Centralized Injury Data System and a Task Force
While various databases exist—such as hospital records, insurance claims, and transportation safety reports—they are often siloed and lack standardization. To address this, establishing a comprehensive, centralized injury database is essential. Such a system would enable real-time data collection, analysis of injury patterns, and identification of high-risk behaviors or environments.

However, data alone is insufficient. The CPSC report advocates for the creation of a national micromobility safety task force comprising stakeholders from public health, transportation agencies, law enforcement, micromobility companies, and community organizations. The task force would:

• Coordinate data collection efforts across agencies and jurisdictions
• Develop and enforce safety standards and regulations
• Promote public awareness campaigns
• Oversee research on infrastructure design and safety measures
• Monitor injury and fatality trends to inform policy adjustments

This coordinated approach aims to unify efforts, streamline resources, and implement impactful safety interventions.

The Path Toward Safer Micromobility: Research, Policy, and Enforcement
​As micromobility expands rapidly, ongoing research is vital to understand its full impacts and to craft effective policies. This includes:

• Designing safer infrastructure, such as protected bike lanes and speed regulation zones
• Promoting safe riding practices through community education
• Enforcing laws on helmet use, speed limits, and designated riding areas
• Holding micromobility providers accountable through safety standards and technology solutions like geofencing and user education

The CPSC underscores that without a centralized data system and a dedicated oversight body, efforts to reduce injuries and fatalities will be hampered.

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Safety Tips for Micromobility Users and Caregivers

​​For Users:

1. Wear a Helmet and Protective Gear: Always wear a certified helmet and consider additional protective gear such as knee and elbow pads, especially for children or inexperienced riders - Note: For micromobility devices that are to be used on the street (not sidewalks) also have higher speeds. For micromobility transportation modes involve higher speeds on the road, such as faster e-scooters or e-bikes reaching speeds approaching or exceeding 30 mph, a motorcycle helmet is generally considered more appropriate than a standard bicycle helmet. Bicycle helmets are primarily designed to withstand impacts typical of speeds between 15 and 30 mph, with laboratory testing based on a 14 mph drop. While they provide valuable protection at lower speeds, their ability to absorb and dissipate energy diminishes significantly at higher velocities, increasing the risk of head injury. Motorcycle helmets, on the other hand, are engineered to meet more rigorous safety standards, capable of withstanding impacts at much higher speeds, often over 60 mph, and are tested in conditions that simulate real-world high-speed crashes. Therefore, at elevated speeds, motorcycle helmets offer superior protection by providing enhanced impact absorption, better retention, and overall increased safety, making them the more appropriate choice for high-speed micromobility modes on the road. But again, higher speeds do not mean this is safe, it is not.
2. Follow Traffic Laws: Obey all traffic signals, signs, and roadway rules. Ride in designated bike lanes or protected pathways whenever possible.
3. Use Lights and Reflectors: Equip your device with front and rear lights, and wear reflective clothing or accessories to increase visibility, especially at night or in low-light conditions.
4. Ride at a Safe Speed: Adjust your speed according to traffic, road conditions, and your skill level. Avoid sudden stops or maneuvers that could lead to falls.
5. Stay Alert and Avoid Distractions: Keep your focus on the road, avoid using phones or listening to loud music while riding.
6. Ride in Designated Areas: Ride in Designated Areas: Always use bike lanes and streets designated for micromobility and avoid riding on sidewalks. E-scooters and electric bikes are not permitted on sidewalks because they are considered motorized vehicles, which are required to be driven on streets. Operating motorized micromobility devices on streets typically requires a valid driver’s license, depending on local regulations. While some areas may allow non-motorized bikes on sidewalks, riders must usually yield to pedestrians. It’s important to check and follow local rules to ensure safe and legal riding.
7. Supervise Children: Caregivers should supervise children closely, ensuring they wear safety gear and understand basic riding rules.

For Caregivers and Parents:

1. Educate About Safe Riding: Teach children proper riding techniques, traffic rules, and the importance of wearing safety gear.
2. Set a Good Example: Model safe riding behaviors yourself to encourage responsible use.
3. Choose Appropriate Equipment: Ensure that devices are suitable for the rider’s age, size, and skill level, and that safety features are functional.
4. Monitor Usage: Encourage responsible riding and limit riding in high-traffic areas or during poor weather conditions.
5. Promote Awareness: Keep children aware of their surroundings, including pedestrians, vehicles, and other hazards.

Community and Infrastructure Recommendations:

• Support the development of protected bike lanes and designated micromobility zones.
• Advocate for local regulations that enforce safety gear use and responsible riding.
• Promote community education campaigns about micromobility safety practices.

​By following these safety tips, riders and caregivers can reduce the risk of injuries and contribute to a safer environment for everyone using micromobility devices.

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References

• Burford, K. G., Itzkowitz, N. G., Rundle, A. G., DiMaggio, C., & Mooney, S. J. (2024). The burden of injuries associated with E-Bikes, powered scooters, hoverboards, and bicycles in the United States: 2019‒2022. American Journal of Public Health, 114(12), 1365–1374. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2024.307820
• Tark, J. & Directorate for Epidemiology, Division of Hazard Analysis, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. (2022). Micromobility Products-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns: 2017–2021. In Micromobility-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns [Report]. https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Micromobility-Products-Related-Deaths-Injuries-and-Hazard-Patterns-2017-2021.pdf?VersionId=ZwIbrSm70AOuwb4de8hlVrn63Jx_SB.e%23:~:text=All%20Micromobility%20Products%20o%20CPSC,2017%2C%20to%2048%20in%202021.&text=E%2DScooters%20o%20CPSC%20staff,fatalities%20from%202017%20through%202021​
• Younes, H. (2025). Comparing injuries from e-scooters, e-bikes, and bicycles in the United States. Journal of Cycling and Micromobility Research, 4, 100061. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmr.2025.100061