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Study at NYC Trauma Center Finds Rising Proportion of Injuries Linked to E-Bikes and E-Scooters

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Study Reveals Sharp Rise in Severe E-Bike and Scooter Injuries at NYC Trauma Center

A recent analysis of trauma visits at a major New York City hospital from 2018 to 2023 found that injuries involving electric bikes and scooters now constitute a growing share of cases, with a significant proportion resulting in serious head injuries and hospital admissions. The research was published in the journal Neurosurgery.

Scope and Key Trend

The study examined patient data at Bellevue Hospital Center, a Level 1 Trauma center. Over the five-year period, approximately 7% of all trauma visits were attributed to injuries involving micromobility devices, a category that includes bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters.

A central finding was the dramatic shift in the types of devices involved. The proportion of these micromobility injuries specifically involving e-bikes or e-scooters increased from 8% in 2018 to over 50% in 2023.

Injury Characteristics and Severity

The most common causes of injury were collisions with motor vehicles and falls from the devices.

An analysis of patient outcomes revealed the severity of these incidents:

  • About 30% of patients suffered a traumatic brain injury.
  • 26% sustained injuries to the skull or face.
  • 50% of patients required surgery.
  • Nearly 69% were admitted to the hospital.
  • Nearly one-third of patients required treatment in an intensive care unit.
  • Most hospitalized patients stayed for at least three days.

The study noted that pedestrians struck by micromobility devices had higher rates of traumatic brain injuries and were more likely to require intensive care than the riders involved.

Associated Factors

The study data included several notable associated factors:

  • About 20% of patients were intoxicated with alcohol at the time of injury.
  • Only 31% of patients were using a helmet.
  • Injuries were more likely to occur during evening hours.

Researcher Statements

"Our study shows that micromobility injuries are producing serious brain and spinal trauma that demands neurosurgical care at a scale we haven't seen before," stated Dr. Hannah Weiss, corresponding author of the study and a resident in the Department of Neurosurgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Dr. Weiss added, "The data point to actionable solutions -- helmet use, safer bike lane design and enforcement -- that could prevent many of these injuries."

Dr. Paul P. Huang, associate professor in the department of neurosurgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and chief of neurosurgery at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, said, "Our findings make clear that urban infrastructure must continue to improve to keep pace with the rapid rise of electric bikes and scooters."

Dr. Huang suggested that "future studies should track these injuries across multiple cities and measure whether protected bike lanes, helmet programs, and speed enforcement actually reduce the number of brain and spine surgeries we perform."