A new research article has now been published: E-Scooter Safety Risks: A Systematic Review of Alcohol and Drug Use, Helmet Avoidance, and Inexperienced Riders.

This article provides a comprehensive systematic overview of behavioral risk factors and safety outcomes among electric scooter riders. Drawing on a database search conducted in January 2025 and rigorous screening of 647 records, the review examines how helmet avoidance, alcohol and drug use, and rider inexperience contribute to injury risk in e-scooter use. Key findings indicate that helmet use among e-scooter riders remains consistently low, despite strong evidence linking helmet avoidance to an increased risk of head injury. Substance use is identified as a significant contributor to crash severity, and many injured riders were found to be intoxicated at the time of their incident. The review also highlights the disproportionate involvement of underage and inexperienced riders in injuries—often occurring during early stages of scooter use. The paper emphasizes the importance of targeted safety interventions, including helmet legislation, enforcement of riding-while-intoxicated laws, and pre-ride training for new users, to facilitate the safer integration of e-scooters into urban transportation systems.

📄 Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2025.10.023