According to two new studies from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the majority of e-scooter accidents happen on sidewalks. This information comes as many cities have already enacted restrictions limiting e-scooter usage on sidewalks and other areas where pedestrians frequent.
In an effort to improve transportation options in 74% of underserved neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the city is launching an e-scooter program in collaboration with Spin. Earlier in September, the City Commission approved $400,000 for an e-scooter and bike-share pilot program.
The use of micromobility products, like e-scooters, has increased significantly in the past few years as a result of advancements in battery technology and the growing popularity of commercial ridesharing services. Vehicles like electric scooters are perceived as eco-friendly, convenient, and cost-effective. Unfortunately, as more riders are using these devices, accidents rates are climbing.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published an analysis, “Micromobility Products-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns: 2017-2019,” which shows the number of electric scooter-related injuries and deaths are increasing.
E-scooters have risen in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic—particularly because of the default social distancing that happens when using one. The law legalizing them in Pennsylvania, however, has been at a standstill in Harrisburg for the past two years. While it’s not uncommon to see electric scooters in cities like Philadelphia, the vehicles are still not road legal.
According to Pennsylvania law, a vehicle can’t ride on the street unless it’s been registered and certified by the Department of Transportation. There is currently no class for e-scooters, so they cannot be registered properly which is what makes them illegal.
Officials in St. George hope to keep e-scooters long-term after a six-month hiatus because. When the program began in 2019, the introduction was successful. A year later, however, the company managing the scooter fleet did not renew its contract with Spin, the e-scooter company.
When the partnership began, Spin, a unit of Ford Motor Company, provided more than 200 scooters to St. George. Boston-based Zagster picked up the management and maintenance duties. When Zagster failed to renew its partnership with Spin, St. George officials were left trying to determine how to proceed.