Chicago has embraced “micromobility” as part of the future of urban transportation. E-scooters and e-bikes are promoted as convenient alternatives to cars—an inexpensive way to travel short distances, connect with public transportation, and reduce automobile traffic.
That is the vision.
But after another Chicago teenager was killed while riding an e-scooter, it is time to ask whether the reality on Chicago’s streets bears much resemblance to that vision.
A heartbreaking tragedy on Chicago’s North Side has once again highlighted the dangers facing young e-scooter riders.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, 16-year-old Alex Blacio was killed after losing control of the e-scooter he was riding on North Western Avenue and being struck by a commercial truck. Police continue to investigate exactly how the collision occurred, and no conclusions should be drawn about fault while that investigation remains ongoing. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Regardless of how the investigation ultimately unfolds, the loss of another young life should be a wake-up call for parents, drivers, schools, and city officials.
A commercial truck crash begins two investigations at the same time.
Police and emergency personnel investigate the collision and protect the public. The trucking company, insurer, claims administrator, and defense counsel investigate the company’s exposure. The second investigation may begin before an injured person leaves the hospital.
Commercial trucking operations create records that do not exist in an ordinary passenger-car case. Electronic logging devices record driving activity. Engine systems may record speed and braking information. Dispatch platforms track routes and messages. Carriers maintain driver files, inspection reports, maintenance records, drug-testing records, cargo documents, and safety materials.
Should an e-bike be treated as a bike or a motorcycle? An e-bike rider may suffer the same physical impact as a motorcyclist while receiving far less protection. The rider has no passenger compartment, airbag, seat belt, or structural frame. A turning vehicle, open car door, blocked bicycle lane, pothole, broken pavement, or unsafe path can produce a head injury, fracture, spinal injury, or permanent scarring in seconds.
Determining legal responsibility requires more than identifying where the rider fell. A lawyer must identify who controlled the vehicle or property, what rules governed the location, whether the rider had a legal right to use it, what notice the responsible party received, and what evidence still exists.
Chicago e-bike cases may involve several distinct claims:
Electric scooters have become a common sight on Chicago streets. They offer a convenient way to travel short distances and reduce traffic congestion, but they have also created new safety concerns for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.
The e-scooter lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C., frequently see dangerous riding behavior that increases the risk of serious injury. One of the most common questions we hear is:
“Are e-scooters allowed to ride in the middle of busy streets like cars?”
Electric bicycles have become one of the fastest-growing forms of transportation and recreation in America. In Chicago they have become ubiquitous on our streets.They are fun, convenient, and can travel much faster than traditional bicycles. Unfortunately, their growing popularity has also brought a troubling consequence: a dramatic increase in catastrophic injuries among children and teenagers. The bike injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. know first hand how devastating these injuries can be.
Recent reports show that e-bike sales in the United States have more than quadrupled over the past five years, and emergency rooms across the country are seeing a corresponding surge in injuries—particularly among young riders. Doctors are reporting an alarming increase in traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, skull fractures, facial fractures, and other life-changing trauma. The combination of greater speed, heavier bikes, and inexperienced riders has created a serious public safety concern. (Axios)
Why Are E-Bikes So Dangerous?
Electric bicycles and e-scooters have become a common sight throughout Chicago. They provide a convenient, affordable, and environmentally friendly way to travel, but their growing popularity has also created new safety concerns for pedestrians.
From the Lakefront Trail to neighborhood sidewalks and busy downtown streets, Chicago residents are increasingly sharing space with electric-powered devices capable of traveling at speeds far greater than traditional bicycles. Unfortunately, when riders operate these vehicles recklessly or without experience, the consequences can be devastating.
The bike injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C., have seen firsthand how serious pedestrian injuries can change lives. As e-bike and e-scooter use continues to increase, so does the importance of understanding the risks and knowing your legal rights after an accident.
For years, vehicle manufacturers have focused on making cars safer for the people inside them. Unfortunately, recent research shows that many newer vehicles may be becoming more dangerous for everyone outside them.
A recent analysis performed by the New York Times in an article entitled “The Deadly Rise of Giant Trucks and SUVs” and reported by Car and Driver found that the increasing height of vehicle hoods and front ends has contributed to thousands of avoidable pedestrian deaths in the United States. Researchers estimated that between 2,624 and 3,077 pedestrian lives could have been saved between 2016 and 2024 if vehicle front-end designs had remained closer to those commonly seen in the early 2000s. The New York Times study found that every additional inch of hood height increased the risk of a fatal pedestrian crash by approximately 2.8%. (Car and Driver)
Other research has reached similar conclusions. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans with hood heights greater than 40 inches are approximately 45% more likely to cause pedestrian fatalities than lower-profile vehicles. (IIHS)
By Zneimer & Zneimer P.C.
Illinois lawmakers have taken another step in the fight against distracted driving by advancing legislation that would prohibit drivers from wearing AI-powered smart glasses while operating a motor vehicle. The bill, championed by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, would add smart glasses to the list of electronic devices already prohibited while driving under Illinois law. (Chicago Sun-Times)
The reason is simple: distracted driving continues to cause devastating crashes and life-changing injuries. The personal injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. have seen these damages first hand.
A recent Chicago Sun-Times article highlights the growing popularity, and growing dangers, of e-scooters in Chicago. According to the article, Chicago recorded more than 7 million e-scooter trips in 2025, a record for the city. Even more remarkably, riders had already taken more than 1 million Lime and Divvy e-scooter trips during the early months of 2026. As ridership continues to increase, so do serious accidents and injuries. (Chicago Sun-Times)
The Sun-Times article also reported two heartbreaking fatalities involving teenagers this year. A 17-year-old and a 15-year-old were both killed after being struck by motor vehicles while riding e-scooters on Chicago’s South Side. Those tragedies prompted the City of Chicago to launch a new e-scooter safety campaign. (Chicago Sun-Times)
E-Scooters Are Not Toys
