Opinion: Safety concerns and injuries have skyrocketed after Eugene introduced Superpedestrian E-Scooters
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Earlier this year, the city of Eugene introduced the e-scooter. The newest form of public transportation has slowly taken over the US and European countries. Its goal is to provide a more cost-effective, environmentally safe form of transportation. However, the Eugene community is experiencing much backlash due to safety concerns.
The University of Oregon is located in the heart of Eugene, so naturally e-scooters target college students. Integrating public scooters was the perfect solution for UO students to get around. Through the app Superpedestrian, they could rent any scooter on the street.
Following the launch, UO came out with a statement about safety protocols when using e-scooters. It states that helmets are vital as “Oregon law requires helmets for all e-scooter riders, regardless of age.” However, I can assure you I have not seen one UO student wear a helmet on a scooter.
With a lack of protection, head injuries have become a widespread issue. In 2019, a UCLA study found there were 249 scooter injuries in one year at just two hospitals. Of that number, 40% experienced head trauma. That same study also found that less than 5% of riders wore helmets.
Scooter accidents stem from numerous reasons. First, no prior training is required to use an e-scooter. Not only does this create reckless drivers, but also a lack of understanding of traffic laws. Many cars don’t know how to accommodate scooters on the road. UO student Ryan Vandenberg was hit by a car while riding an e-scooter.
“Some guy opened his door without looking, and I went full speed into his door. I had a hole in my arm. The corner of the car door went into my arm, and my back was messed up for a week,” Vandenberg said. “I would say there’s a lack of driver awareness for scooters.”
On the other side, there’s the issue of scootering while intoxicated. Like most college students do, much of the UO student population loves to party and drink alcohol. In a city filled with public scooters, it’s easy for students to ride them intoxicated.
The Superpedestrian app obligates riders to complete a “sobriety” quiz before hopping on. I’ll admit that I’ve used an e-scooter in not the soberest state, and I can confidently say anyone can pass it, sober or intoxicated.
The horror stories are endless. You’ll see UO students attempting trick shots. Two people riding a scooter that’s designed for one. I know at least four people who went flying off of an e-scooter. Unsurprisingly, they were intoxicated.
A 2022 study in Norway found that 40% of E-Scooter accidents involved an intoxicated rider. And without helmets, students are at risk of serious injury or death.
“My friend fell and got hurt. It wasn’t a good situation. She could’ve gotten seriously hurt,” UO student Janae Mcintosh said. “They need stricter rules on them, like maybe a curfew.”
This summer, PeaceHealth announced the closure of its only hospital in Eugene. The news raised discussion about student access to hospitals. In the event of a scooter accident, students have no emergency care close to campus.
UO students rushing to the emergency room after a scooter accident isn’t the only problem. Reckless driving puts pedestrians at risk as well. E-scooters are designated to be in the bike lane, yet many riders weave onto sidewalks. A drunken student hitting someone at 15 mph is bound to be lethal.
Despite all this, e-scooters are still beneficial to modern society. They provide affordable transportation while reducing greenhouse emissions. However, there is still improvement to be done before wide implementation across the country. Higher regulations on safety are just the start.