As a supporter of e-scooter share programs and their ability to “throw a bigger transportation net” in our cities, I am mindful of the growing pains that so many cities have already felt with regard to these machines. We’ve all seen the media reports about increased safety issues and the reality that electric scooters are often found littered across the sidewalk, making even the occasional stroll a bit of a task, to say nothing about persons with disabilities. Furthermore, one of the most frequent complaints about e-scooters arises when riders take these machines onto the sidewalk, zipping past walkers and making for an uneasy pedestrian experience.

As I always try to explain to those who cite these issues, no new transportation initiative has ever had a smooth public transition. Scooter share, for the most part, has only been around for a handful of years, and the “kinks” are still being ironed out. But as the e-scooter trend spreads across the nation, those responsible for their operation are always looking for new ways to maximize performance and safety while minimizing their often-held perception as a public nuisance. The problems will be lessened as more cities buy in and start demanding that the most prominent issues with e-scooters be addressed.

And let’s not forget: when cars were first introduced to American roadways, the same concerns about their safety and use on public right-of-ways were just as prevalent, if not more so.

Understanding Scooter Problems in the Context of an Environment Designed for Cars

Indeed, the infancy of e-scooter share has had its “share” of stumbles. But it’s important we look at why these motorized devices have had a troubled upbringing. The few studies that have involved e-scooter share data show that riders suffer injuries at a higher clip than just about any other form of transportation. This is likely due to the fact that e-scooters are a relatively new invention, requiring a different set of learned balance and maneuverability skills. While most Americans have had some experience riding a bike before using bike share, most have never used an electric scooter. Furthermore, their smaller wheels are much more susceptible to cracks in the road, potholes, even moderately sized debris than bikes, which can more reliably “roll over” these obstacles.

As the proud owner of an electric UScooter Eco, I have found that riding on the road (where scooters are supposed to be piloted, according to most local laws across the country) can be tremendously dangerous. While the condition of our often deteriorating roadways might be manageable by car or bike, even small potholes can be a serious hazard for the small wheels of an e-scooter. All it takes is a slow walk alongside many of our Upstate New York roadways to see that the far right or most streets and roads are littered with cracks, bumps, sunken grates and even plastic or metal debris from cars. Scooters struggle with these obstacles, and avoiding them sometimes means last minute ventures into moving car traffic.