The Burden of Injuries Associated With E-Bikes, Powered Scooters, Hoverboards, and Bicycles in the United States: 2019‒2022.

Abstract

<b>Objectives.</b> To describe the national burden of injuries associated with e-bikes, bicycles, hoverboards, and powered scooters (micromobility devices) in the United States. <b>Methods.</b> We compared patterns and trends for 1 933 296 estimated injuries associated with micromobility devices from 2019 to 2022 using National Electronic Injury Surveillance System data. <b>Results.</b> The population-based rates of e-bike and powered scooter injuries increased by 293.0% and 88.0%, respectively. When reported, powered scooter injuries had the highest proportion for alcohol use (9.0%) compared with other modes, whereas e-bike injuries had the highest proportion for motor vehicle involvement (35.4%). Internal injuries were more likely among e-bike diagnoses than hoverboard and bicycle (<i>P</i> < .05), but fractures and concussions were more likely among hoverboard diagnoses compared with all other devices (<i>P</i> < .05). When helmet use was identified in clinical notes (20.3%), helmet usage was higher among e-bike injuries (43.8%) compared with powered scooter (34.8%) and hoverboard (30.3%) injuries but lower compared with bicycle injuries (48.7%). <b>Conclusions.</b> The incidence of severe e-bike and powered scooter injuries increased over the 4-year period. Public health stakeholders should focus on improved surveillance and prevention of injuries associated with electric micromobility devices. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. 2024;114(12):1365-1374. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307820).