Scooter Injuries Triple in U.S. Over Four Years, Straining Healthcare System

UCLA-led study calls for improved safety standards and infrastructure to mitigate rising risks and costs associated with scooter-related injuries.

Scooter-related hospitalizations in the U.S. nearly tripled between 2016 and 2020, with a concurrent increase in severe injuries requiring orthopedic and plastic surgery.
The costs to treat scooter injuries rose five-fold, from about $6.6 million in 2016 to $35.5 million in 2020, highlighting the financial strain these injuries pose to the healthcare system.
About 27% of people hospitalized for scooter injuries were under age 18 compared with 16% for the bicycle group, and scooter injuries led to more major operative interventions.
Scooter riders had higher odds of experiencing long bone fractures and paralysis than their bicycle riding counterparts, though both groups were similarly likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries.
The researchers call for improved safety standards for scooter riders, including enforced speed limits and dedicated lanes, to minimize risks for vehicles, scooter riders, and pedestrians.