E-Scooters and E-Bikes: they can be found on college campuses around the country including ETSU. But while they have many benefits, they’ve also garnered negative attention in the past few years.
E-Scooters and E-bikes, also referred to as micro-mobility devices, provide students with a faster form of transportation compared to walking, driving, or public transportation, as well as releasing fewer carbon emissions as opposed to cars. However, micromobility devices do pose serious risks to their users and the people around them.
One of the major risks of micromobility devices you wouldn’t think of right away is fires. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), between January 1st, 2021, to November 28th, 2022, 19 deaths due to micro-mobility device fires were reported to the CPSC. In 2022, Fordham University banned all battery-powered e-scooters, bikes, and skateboards from being used or stored on their campus due to the incredibly high risk of a fire from a lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries are found in many devices like your phone, but when damaged, they can catch on fire or even explode. E-bikes and scooters can also have a high risk of battery fires due to being improperly charged, having faulty electrical equipment, and overloading electrical circuits.
Fires aren’t the only issue with micro-mobility devices: injuries in connection with the devices are becoming more and more common. A study published by the American College of Surgeons reported that between 2016 and 2020, the rate of hospitalizations for scooter-related injuries increased by nearly three-fold. More than half of those patients underwent major surgeries, specifically orthoplastic and head surgeries. Scooter riders were also more likely to sustain fractures or paralysis compared to bike riders.
While E-Scooters and bikes are incredibly popular and useful pieces of technology for college students, it’s important to remember a few things. No matter if you’re a scooter user or not: respect is a two-way street. If you’re riding on a scooter past someone who’s walking, don’t make them move out of the way for you when you can go around them.
The key piece of advice is that if you ride any kind of bike or scooter, regardless of whether it is electric or not, wear a helmet. You may look silly, but a helmet can help with reducing your risk of developing a traumatic brain injury. Additionally, be careful. If you’re riding in an area that switches between terrains, watch your speed to prevent crashing. Make sure you park your scooter in a proper place, not inside a building’s entryway, and ensure your charger and battery are in good condition. If not, replace it to prevent fires.
E-Scooters and E-bikes are wonderful technological advancements in today’s age, but they have rules you should be following to operate them, just like cars.
