Safety Risks of Riding e-Scooters on the Sidewalk Is It Safe to Ride an e-Scooter on the Sidewalk? The sudden rise in the popularity of electric scooters over the past few years has introduced a new dimension to transportation options. However, due to the rapid increase in the number of these scooters, the municipal regulators are seen struggling to keep up with the rising safety and traffic impact problems. So, what are the risks of riding the e-scooter on the sidewalk? Keep reading to find out. Do Electric Scooters Really Pose a Safety Risk for Pedestrians and Riders? According to a study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, if there is no clear vision on how and where the e-scooters should be used, then there is a serious safety risk for both the riders and pedestrians. William Wallace, the manager of safety policy at Consumer Reports state that electric scooters can undoubtedly be useful and fun to travel. However, there are also serious safety hazards that come with it. Therefore, it is extremely important for lawmakers to not treat them just like any other bike. For this, these scooters need to be designed, built, and maintained keeping safety in mind. Not only this, but the people riding it should also follow all the rules and practices to avoid hurting themselves and others. The above study also compared the injury statistics of e-scooters with the data derived from the statements of emergency room patients. The researchers found that the riders of electric scooters faced more injuries per mile as compared to the bicyclist. In addition to this, they are also likely to be injured more due to pavement cracks, signposts, potholes, and lampposts. Other than that, there is also a chance that the bicyclists will be hit by an e-scooter. How to be Safe on an e-Scooter? It is extremely important to adopt all the safety tips when you ride an electric scooter. In this way, both you and the pedestrians will be safe on the sidewalk. One of the most essential things you need to do before you hop on the e-scooter is to wear the appropriate gear. No matter how fast you are riding or how short the trip is, you should never forget to wear a helmet. In addition to this, your clothing and gear should also match the type of trip that you are about to take. The rule is simple: more speed means more gears. For example, if you are riding on the road in traffic or at higher speed, you should add gloves, long-leg pants, closed-toe shoes, and a long-sleeved shirt. Final Words Riding an e-scooter can undoubtedly be fun. However, there are safety risks involved with riding the scooter too. Therefore, you should always take into account the necessary safety tips before hopping on your scooter. This will not only ensure your safety but the safety of the pedestrians too.