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Original research
E-scooter incidents in Berlin: an evaluation of risk factors and injury patterns
  1. Deniz Uluk1,2,
  2. Tobias Lindner1,
  3. Michael Dahne3,
  4. Jens Werner Bickelmayer4,
  5. Kassandra Beyer2,
  6. Anna Slagman1,
  7. Friedrich Jahn5,
  8. Christian Willy6,
  9. Martin Möckel1,
  10. Undine Gerlach1
  1. 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  2. 2Department of Surgery, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  3. 3Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  4. 4Department for Anesthesia, Intensive Care, Pain Therapy and Emergency Medicine, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  5. 5Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Evangelical Elisabeth Clinic Berlin-Mitte, Berlin, Germany
  6. 6Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  1. Correspondence to Mr Deniz Uluk, Charité University Medicin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Department of Surgery, Charitéplatz, Berlin 110115, Germany; deniz.uluk{at}charite.de

Abstract

Background E-scooters have emerged as a frequently used vehicle in German cities due to their high availability and easy access. However, investigations about the causes and mechanisms of E-scooter incidents and their trauma-specific consequences are rare.

Methods We analysed all patients involved in E-scooter incidents from June to December 2019 who presented to four inner-city EDs in Berlin. The prospective data included patient-related and incident-related data, information on injury patterns and therapy, responses in a voluntary questionnaire concerning E-scooter use and general traffic experience.

Results 248 patients (129 males; median age 29 years (5–81)) were included: 41% were tourists and 4% were children. Most incidents (71%) occurred between July and September 2019, the majority occurring at weekends (58%). The injury pattern was mostly multifocal, affecting the lower (42%) and upper limbs (37%) and the head (40%). Traumatic brain injury was associated with alcohol consumption. Inpatient admission was recorded in 25%, surgery in 23%.

Conclusion This study has defined the incidence of injury related to E-scooter use in a major European city. Stricter laws governing the use of E-scooters, the wearing of helmets and technical modifications to the E-scooter platforms might decrease E-scooter-associated incidents and resulting injuries in the future.

Trial registration number German Clinical Trials Registry (DRKS00018061).

  • trauma
  • accidental
  • emergency department
  • musculoskeletal

Data availability statement

Data are available upon reasonable request. All collected data have been entered into an Excel data sheet and patient’s privacy information has been pseudonymised. The Excel document itself is password protected and saved upon a password-protected server of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Charité University Medicine Berlin with restricted access. Data protection is following the data protection declaration of the respective institution and will be available upon reasonable request.

https://doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2020-210268

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    Data availability statement

    Data are available upon reasonable request. All collected data have been entered into an Excel data sheet and patient’s privacy information has been pseudonymised. The Excel document itself is password protected and saved upon a password-protected server of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Charité University Medicine Berlin with restricted access. Data protection is following the data protection declaration of the respective institution and will be available upon reasonable request.

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    Footnotes

    • Handling editor Jason E Smith

    • Correction notice This paper has been updated to amend author name 'Martin Möckel'

    • Contributors DU and UG contributed to the study conception and design, analysis, interpretation of data and writing of the manuscript. TL, MD, JWB, KB, AS and FJ participated in the acquisition and analysis of data. CW and MM contributed to the analysis and interpretation of data, the study conception and the critical review of the manuscript.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.