A woman rides an electric scooter Monday in downtown Washington.
The devices, which are in more than 100 cities worldwide, have led to a new category of injuries in emergency rooms. Cases of broken noses, wrists and shoulders, along with facial lacerations and fractures have been reported since last summer. The study probed the reported spike in injuries related to the use of the devices that have become ubiquitous on many streets and sidewalks.
The CDC and Austin health officials examined severe injuries that occurred Sept. 5 to Nov. 30, interviewing 125 riders and analyzing medical charts for 65. The report recommends more education in “safe e-scooter riding practices” and that these educational campaigns emphasize the use of a helmet and a safe speed while riding.
Only 2 in 10 riders injured said they believed it was caused by a scooter malfunction. A third of those interviewed were on their first ride when they were injured. “Like using a bike, motorcycle, or car, there is risk in operating a personal transportation vehicle,” McConaghy said. “Car drivers face this risk every day — whether it is the risk of human error, collision with another commuter or poor conditions on the roads.”
Enact laws. While scooting around Austin, I didn’t see a single helmeted head, my own included.
My friend works in trauma and she hates scooters with a raging passion and yells and people on the street not to ride them
Thirty years ago when my kids were small the general rule was that if it had wheels, they needed a helmet. Good advice.
What about fire suits for when they catch on fire?
Duh
My rule of thumb is that if you need to wear a helmet to do something, you probably shouldn’t be doing it. 🧐