Dear City Council and Senior Staff,

Please see the below bulletin on the subject of electric bike and scooter safety. Relevant given recent Council discussions on the general topic of traffic safety. Like some of your public commentators, I too have seen people traveling at what seemed like high speeds on E-bikes, sometimes what appeared to be youth under the age of 16.


[NSN Neighborhood Safety Network, a Project of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission text with images of diverse individuals]


October 19, 2023



E-Scooter and E-Bike Injuries Soar: 2022 Injuries Increased Nearly 21%
[micromobility safety]

Hi Neighbor!

As e-scooters, hoverboards and e-bikes become more popular for personal transportation and leisure activities, emergency departments are seeing an increase in injuries nationwide. CPSC published a new report that shows injuries associated with all micromobility devices increased nearly 21% in 2022 from 2021 and have trended upward since 2017.

The report also shows that e-scooters continue to show increases in injuries, year-over-year, rising 22% in 2022 from 2021. Nearly half (46%) of all estimated e-bike injuries from 2017 to 2022 occurred in 2022 alone. Hoverboard injuries defied the upward trend and decreased 26% from 2021 to 2022.

Because collisions with motor vehicles and control issues are leading hazards, CPSC urges consumers to do the following:

* Watch CPSC’s PSA on safe riding.
* Always wear a bicycle helmet when riding to protect your head in a fall.
* Before riding, make sure to check for any damage, which includes examining the handlebars, brakes, throttle, bell, lights, tires, cables and frame.
* See and be seen. Most deaths involve motor vehicles. Many micromobility products are small, quick, and quiet, making it difficult for others to spot you, especially in parking lots and structures.
* Expect vehicle drivers and pedestrians not to see you; slow down and stay aware of your surroundings.
* Use the bell/horn to alert others.
* Do not make abrupt, unpredictable movements.
* Beware of obstacles. E-scooters have small tires, so objects and uneven surfaces can cause them to stop suddenly, throwing you off.
* Always keep both hands on the handlebars and keep items off the handlebars.
* Slow down and lean back when you have to ride over bumps.
* Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
* Only one person per scooter; additional riders can increase the risk and severity of collisions. Follow all manufacturer directions, review the safety information and identify and weight and age limits for the micromobility device.

Hear our catchy safety tips on Protect Ya Noggin from our Were Safety Now Havent We EP.

LISTEN - Protect Ya Noggin

[Protect Ya Noggin - Were Safety Now Havent We]

Learn more at our Micromobility: E-Bikes, E-Scooters and Hoverboards
Safety Education Center.

Report safety incidents or concerns with consumer products to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.





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