Safety And Risk Factors Associated With Electric Scooter Use Globally: A Literature Review

Abstract

Electric kick scooters (e-scooters) are a form of micro-mobility devices that have been implemented in city streets worldwide as a viable travel solution. E-scooter companies have launched in over 100 U.S cities and various international cities, including Paris, Berlin, London, Rome, Madrid, Singapore, Auckland, Tel Aviv, and Brisbane. On January 1st 2020, Ontario launched its pilot program to permit e-scooters onto provincial roads. Due to the implementation and recent growth of this new technology, it is important to evaluate what is already known about e-scooter use and what remains to be discovered. We conducted a literature review to understand the general prevalence of e-scooter usage, common injury patterns, demographics of patients commonly involved in e-scooter injuries, and risk factors associated with injuries. We also sought to understand the current legislation surrounding e-scooter use in Ontario, other provinces across Canada, and other countries. Common injuries included: extremity fractures, facial fractures, lacerations and head injuries (including concussions and intracranial hemorrhages). Most commonly injured riders were men between 20- 40 years old, and our findings indicate that limited helmet use and acute alcohol intoxication may contribute to e-scooter injuries. These findings can help to direct future research questions and prepare primary care and emergency room physicians for the potential surge in e-scooter use here in Ontario, Canada.