It wasn't long ago that energy-efficient electric scooters began showing up in metro areas across the nation, but a study shows, despite their effectiveness, they are leading to more serious injuries.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco said they have seen a 354 percent increase in scooter-related injuries between the ages of 18 to 34 years old in the past five years.
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Nearly one-third of patients had a head injury, more than double the rate of head injuries experienced by cyclists. A 2019 study found 4.8 percent of injured e-scooter riders wore a helmet, while another case reported only 2 percent used helmets.
Researchers said the results may be underestimated because some riders avoid medical treatment for their injuries.
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The study suggested that e-scooter companies such as Lime, Bird and Spin should provide helmet access and increase regulations.