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E-scooter safety under scrutiny: Examining crash patterns and injuries in the UK
Xiao Li1, Si Qiao2, Greg Rybarczyk3
1Transport Studies Unit, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK; Linacre College, University of Oxford, ST Cross Road, Oxford OX1 3JA, UK.
Introduction:
Electric-powered scooters (E-scooters), as an emerging sustainable micromobility mode, are increasingly popular. However, safety concerns regarding the use of e-scooters are also rising. For example, in 2022, 1,492 casualties resulting from e-scooter-involved crashes were observed in 24 trial areas across the UK. To enhance the understanding of e-scooter riding risks, this study conducted a nationwide crash analysis using a UK dataset. It explores the spatial and environmental contexts of e-scooter crashes and the factors influencing crash severity.
Method:
A comprehensive approach, including exploratory data analysis, latent class analysis (LCA), chi-square test, and logistic regression model, were employed.
Results:
Findings revealed distinctive spatiotemporal patterns in e-scooter crashes compared to overall crashes, with a higher incidence in deprived communities. Three crash typologies were identified using LCA: night-time, morning, and information-deficient. Multiple demographical and environmental factors were found to influence crash severity.
Conclusions:
Compared to overall crash trends, e-scooter crashes are more prevalent in urban areas with high population density and exhibit distinct peak patterns in the afternoon. Night-time crashes in low-light conditions and morning crashes with ample daylight are two significant crash clusters. Factors such as the involvement of riders aged 45 to 65 (Odd Ratio [OR] = 1.76) or > 65 (OR = 3.61), crashes occurring at late night/early morning (OR = 2.29), and rural locations (OR = 1.72) increased e-scooter crash severity compared to their respective reference groups. Moreover, highly deprived communities not only experience a higher number of e-scooter crashes but also contribute to crash severity.
Practical Applications:
This study underscores the necessity for targeted interventions, such as providing safety campaigns and training programs for older individuals and e-scooter users residing in dense urban areas. It also highlights the need for policies that address inequities, particularly through improved infrastructure and enforcement in lower-income urban areas with more e-scooter crashes.
