Austin Public Health Department Releases Dockless Electric Scooter Injury Study Results

The Dockless Electric Scooter-Related Injuries study is now complete. The research was done in collaboration with Austin Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

APH led the study, while the CDC provided assistance by deploying four Epidemic Intelligence Service officers to Austin. Dockless electric scooters first appeared in Austin in April 2018. This study was launched to advance the knowledge of the impact on public health and safety of e-scooter use in Austin.

Data for this study was obtained from Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS), emergency departments from nine area hospitals, patient interviews, and Austin Transportation Department. Epidemiologists made over 600 phone calls along with hundreds of texts and mailed letters to contact identified injured riders between September to November 2018.

“We believe this study is the first to conduct personal interviews directly with injured e-scooter riders,” said Stephanie Hayden, Director of Austin Public Health. “Our findings show the risks involved in riding scooters and have significant implications in considering what individual safety measures can help reduce injury.”

During the three-month study period, there were nearly one million scooter trips in Austin, according to the Austin Transportation Department. On average, the study showed that 20 individuals were injured per 100,000 scooter trips taken.

The detailed report on Dockless Electric Scooter-Related Injuries can be found here on the Austin Public Health website at AustinTexas.gov/Health.