BackgroundShared micromobility programs (SMPs) are integral to urban transport in US cities, providing sustainable transit options.Increased use has raised safety concerns, notably about helmet usage among e-scooter and e-bicycle riders.Prior studies have shown that head and upper extremity injuries have risen with SMP adoption, yet data on helmet use remains sparse.
MethodsThis cross-sectional coq-clear 100 ubiquinol observational study evaluated helmet use among 5,365 riders (e-bicycles, conventional bicycles, and e-scooters) in San Francisco during February and March 2019.Observations were made at seven key intersections during peak commute hours on clear days.ResultsThe majority rode conventional bicycles (77.
1%), followed by e-bicycles (19.0%) and e-scooters (3.9%).
Most vehicles (82.2%) were personally owned, with the remainder shared via SMPs.Helmet usage was substantially lower among SMP riders, with shared e-scooter users showing the lowest compliance.
Specifically, shared e-scooter riders wore helmets 70% less frequently than personal e-scooter riders and 59% less than shared e-bike riders.Dockless e-bike riders used helmets 42% less than those on docked e-bikes.ConclusionThis study exposes significant gaps in helmet usage 3 piece horse wall art among SMP riders, highlighting a pressing need for public health interventions and policy adjustments to improve safety and reduce head injury risks.
The findings suggest that helmet use is notably deficient among e-scooter and dockless e-bicycle riders, underscoring the urgent need for targeted safety regulations as cities continue to integrate SMPs into their transportation frameworks.