Are Electric Scooters (E-Scooters) Safe?

Overview

Electric scooters (e-scooters) are popular, especially with kids and teens. These scooters propel riders using an electric motor rather than the rider having to push off with their feet.

Because of the electric motor, an e-scooter can go a lot faster than a standard scooter. But speeds can be dangerously high for kids and teens.

Here’s what you need to know about e-scooters.

What Is an Electric Scooter (E-scooter)?

An e-scooter is a scooter that runs on electricity. Riders usually stand up and hold handlebars while riding an e-scooter, but some do have seats. E-scooters typically consist of a deck where the rider stands, handlebars for steering, and a small electric motor that propels the scooter. They usually have a rechargeable battery.

Safety

Are E-scooters Safe?

E-scooters are not considered safe, and a big reason is that they can reach speeds of 15 to 30 miles an hour. Accidents at these high speeds can cause injuries like cuts, fractures, broken bones, serious head and neck injuries, and even deaths.

It can be hard for some riders to control the e-scooter. A rider may have trouble managing the speed, braking in time, staying balanced, reacting quickly, and navigating risks like bumps in the road, motor vehicles, or even people walking. And children have slower reaction times because their nervous systems are still maturing. So that makes controlling e-scooters more difficult and dangerous.

Dangers for e-scooter riders include accidents with cars and problems with the e-scooter itself, like issues with the throttle, power switch, battery, or other parts. All of these make riding dangerous for kids.

Are E-Scooters Recommended for Kids?

No, e-scooters are not recommended for kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that children under 16 should not operate or ride on motorized scooters or e-scooters.

In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that emergency room (ER)-treated injuries and deaths for e-scooters increased from 2017 to 2021. During this time, 190,000 e-scooter riders were treated in the ER with 68 deaths reported. That’s roughly 14 rider deaths per year. There are likely more injuries because this study looked only at ER visits, not visits to doctors or clinics.

What About Teens?

Teens should be at least 16 years old before riding an e-scooter.

Some states have laws about the minimum age to ride one, and some places don’t allow them at all. Learn about the laws in your area. Your state might have a minimum age or even require a license, registration, or insurance for riding.

Anyone age 16 and over who rides an e-scooter should also know that normal traffic rules apply, so that means:

• police can give traffic tickets for unlawful behavior
• riders can be held legally responsible for any accidents
• teens age 16 and older may be considered adults for traffic offenses
• riders must obey local helmet laws 
• riders must go only where permitted and obey traffic signals and laws

Prevention

How Can Riders Help Prevent E-Scooter Injuries?

Teens old enough to ride an e-scooter should learn how to operate it safely. Your school district or town may offer training courses to help people learn how to handle an e-scooter, and what safety guidelines to follow.

Teens can practice riding in a safe location where there's no car or foot traffic. Remind them to follow the rules of the road, riding only where permitted.

And make sure your child knows that scooters are made for only one rider at a time. Many injuries happen when two people ride on a scooter together. Sharing a scooter throws the scooter off balance and increases of the likelihood of accidents and injuries.

Rules of the Road

To help prevent injuries, all riders should:

• Wear a helmet on every ride.
• Dress for safe riding. Wear elbow pads, kneepads, and light-reflective clothing or tape at night.
• Put a light on the e-scooter if riding at night.
• Learn how to control the speed and breaks.
• Never ride and text or make phone calls. Teach kids to keep phones in their pockets until they are off the road in a safe location.
• Don’t use earbuds or earphones while riding.
• Don’t let anyone get on the scooter with you.
• Be a defensive rider. This means being aware of pedestrians, road debris, potholes, opened car doors, or anything else that could pose a safety risk.
• Signal to others on the road. Kids should learn how to make their presence known to others by using hand signals or giving a shout-out to those who might not see them coming.
• Obey all safety laws and ride only where allowed.