A new report from ERideHero reveals a sharp rise in electric scooter injuries across the United States. Emergency rooms treated more than 115,000 cases in 2024, an 80% increase from the previous year. The data, drawn from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s NEISS Database, points to a growing public health concern as e-scooters spread through cities. Among the most worrying figures is the rise in injuries among children under 15, which more than doubled to 17,641 cases, many involving serious head trauma.
The report shows that head injuries accounted for 20,960 cases, representing 18.4% of all incidents. Young riders were the hardest hit, with under-15 injuries climbing 116% in just one year. Those aged 15 to 24 made up the single largest group of riders injured, with 23.24% of all cases. Intoxication also contributed significantly, with more than 10,000 cases involving alcohol or drugs, including 8,699 linked to alcohol and 2,515 to recreational substances.
“We’re seeing the consequences of treating e-scooters like toys instead of vehicles. No training, no licenses, and helmets aren’t the norm. What really drives the injury spike is that e-scooters slipped into our cities without the safety culture that develops around other vehicles,” said Rasmus Barslund, founder of ERideHero.
Children’s vulnerability was emphasised by Daniel Rosenfield, a pediatric emergency physician. “Some parents seem to have bought their kids e-scooters without realizing that they can go from zero to 40 km/h in seconds,” he noted. Pediatric emergency medicine physician Dr. Meghan Martin added, “Kids need to be in appropriate safety gear. They should be wearing helmets, not flipflops or sandals but full foot sneakers, covered shoes. They should also be in long pants, long sleeves, in case they were to crash.” Yet fewer than 5% of riders wear helmets, despite evidence that they reduce fatalities and serious injury.
The data also reveal a gender gap. Men accounted for 67.7% of injuries in 2024, but female riders were found to be 1.5 times more likely to be involved in a crash. Nichole Morris, director of the University of Minnesota’s HumanFIRST Laboratory, suggested this may be linked to design issues such as handlebar height or required upper body strength.
Regulation has failed to keep pace with the rapid adoption of e-scooters. While some cities have imposed speed limits, designated parking areas, and helmet requirements, enforcement is patchy. Two states, Pennsylvania and Delaware, have banned e-scooters from public roads, yet most regions still lack consistent rules. “A teenager riding a scooter, my sense is they have no obligation to get training,” said Joseph Schofer, professor emeritus at Northwestern University. “And if there is, there’s no way to enforce it.”
The report also highlights seasonal and behavioural patterns. July 2024 recorded the highest number of incidents at 14,424, with weekends, especially Saturdays, proving most dangerous. This suggests leisure use contributes significantly to accident rates.
Healthcare professionals warn that the rising numbers are straining emergency departments, with head injuries and fractures particularly common. The report concludes that stronger legislation, wider helmet use, and more public education are urgently needed. While e-scooters provide environmental benefits and convenience, their safety risks present a growing challenge for policymakers and communities.