Electric scooter safety: An integrative review of evidence from transport and medical research domains

Review article, 2023

Safe mobility is a prerequisite in the paradigm shift toward sustainable cities and societies. Yet, the serious safety concerns associated with the practice of emerging modes such as electric scooters (e-scooters) are a major challenge for a smooth adoption of these transport modes. We have systematically reviewed peer-reviewed e-scooter safety papers with a primary focus on transport and a secondary focus on medical research domains. Our findings suggest a dire need for analysing interactions of e-scooters with other road users, and, subsequently, adopting surrogate safety measures for e-scooters. Also, it is determined that head and face injuries are the most common injury types for e-scooter riders involved in collisions. The absence of uniform regulations for the practice of e-scooters could potentially affect their safe adoption. The findings highlight the importance of providing uniform regulations for safety gears as well as the prevention of riding under the influence.