Do You Ride an E-Bike or E-Scooter? Here’s How To Stay Out of the ER

Electronic bikes and scooters have soared in popularity, helping people zip up and down city streets and cycling paths. Unfortunately, this surge has also resulted in skyrocketing numbers of cyclists ending up in emergency rooms.

Many of these injuries are skull fractures, which can be life-threatening. Other common injuries include severe fractures, sprains, strains and abrasions.

The problem is that these bikes tend to be heavy and fast. And too often, riders aren’t taking adequate safety precautions. So, let’s look at several strategies to help you have a safe ride:

1. Wear a helmet: Your brain is one of your body’s most important organs. Protecting it is as simple as strapping on a properly fitting safety helmet. Sadly, many people who end up in the ER weren’t wearing a helmet when they fell off their e-bike or e-scooter. Even a short fall from the seat of your cycle to the pavement can cause severe – even fatal – damage.
2. Pay attention: When you are cruising along on a speedy electronic bike, you will have less time to react to changing events around you. Danger comes in many forms, including potholes, opening car doors and unexpected dogs. Leave both hands on the handlebars and keep an eye out for trouble – even if that means putting your phone away until your ride is over. This is particularly important with e-scooters, which have a higher center of gravity and smaller wheels, making them more vulnerable to disaster in the event of a sudden change of direction.
3. Practice: E-bikes are heavier and faster than regular bicycles. That means they handle differently. E-scooters aren’t as heavy, but they handle differently. Before hopping onto a busy street or bike path, spend some time practicing in a quiet area without traffic or pedestrians. And hold off on hitting those max speeds until you’ve grown comfortable – particularly around curves – with the bike and its controls.
4. Know the rules of the road: When you are on the streets, remember that you are essentially operating a vehicle. That means stopping at stop signs and red lights. Keep in mind that you are much smaller than cars on the road. Make sure they see you before moving or turning into traffic.
5. Watch your speed: One of the fun things about these e-bikes is their speed, with some of them hitting up to 30 mph. That also makes it much easier to misjudge the amount of space you need to stop and the dangers associated with curving paths and turns. Traveling at top speeds, even with slower moving e-scooters, can also make it difficult to react to road debris and pot holes.
6. Don’t take unnecessary risks: If you are heading out for a night of entertainment at a neighborhood bar or restaurant, you may be tempted to ride your e-bike or e-scooter instead of driving your car. It sounds like a reasonable idea, but it can be extremely dangerous to operate one of these bikes while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These substances can dampen your response times and, most importantly, impair your judgment. Also, in Florida and some other states, you can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI), even while riding an e-bike or e-scooter.
7. Go solo: There’s nothing wrong with riding with a friend. In fact, that’s ideal – in case you get into an accident and need someone to call 911. But your companion should have their own transportation. Most e-bikes and e-scooters are designed to be ridden by a single person. Trying to add another rider changes everything about how the bike operates, increasing your risk of accident.
8. Be reflective: Spotting bike and scooter riders can be difficult for motorists in cars and trucks. Stay out of those drivers’ blind spots and wear clothes that stand out. A reflective vest and flashing bike lights can help other drivers be aware of you – night and day.
9. Call attention to yourself: When approaching another biker or pedestrian, call out your presence and announce that you are passing with a loud “on your left.” And don’t wear headphones while riding. Other road users may need to communicate important information to you as well.

Get out there and have fun on those e-bikes and scooters. Just be sure to do it safely to avoid an unwanted trip to the emergency room.