Substance use, lack of helmets sending e-scooter riders to emergency rooms: Edmonton study

With the Edmonton Oilers in the midst of another Stanley Cup playoff chase, fans from all over the city are making their way downtown, and some are travelling by e-scooters.

But a recent study serves as a reminder to ride with caution.

Researchers in Edmonton are finding that preventable e-scooter injuries are wheeling more people into hospital emergency departments.

“The way they park, it is dangerous,” said one Edmontonian.

Another saying, “Sometimes, people drive really speedy on them. Drive like maniacs.”

While another said, “Yeah, they park them right in front of the bars, go in the bar, and then come out of the bar and hop on loaded.”

Since 2019, E-scooters have zipped through the downtown core.

The study published in the Canadian Journal of Surgery analyzes 750 e-scooter-related emergency room visits over a three-year span, showing over one in every four riders drove intoxicated.

“Alcohol and cannabis, that combination is not improving outcomes. It’s not a solution for those who want to get home more cheaply from a bar late at night. That’s a bad choice,” explained Dr. Brian Rowe, a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Alberta.

Dr. Rowe says they found only 2 per cent of all riders in the study reported wearing a helmet, saying an increase in helmet use would reduce severe injuries landing e-scooter riders in the ER.

“You might still have a concussion, but you’re not going to have a bleed in your brain, you’re not going to be disabled,” said Dr. Rowe.

Helmets are not mandatory to ride scooters in Edmonton, but you are not supposed to be impaired when operating a motorized scooter.

Edmontonians downtown told CityNews they want more enforcement when it comes to safety and responsibility.

“You have to understand the laws and the responsibility as well,” said one Edmontonian.

Another saying, “I think those e-scooters should be banned.”

CityNews reached out to the City of Edmonton asking them for details on the enforcement of escooter laws and a response to the numbers, however, they have not responded at this time.