Chicago has witnessed a dramatic increase of e-scooters riders on the roadways and bike paths in recent years propelled propelled by e-scooter ride share companies like Divvy and Lime setting up stations. With increased number of e-scooter riders, the e-scooter injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. has also observed a dramatic increase of people injured in e-scooter accidents. Driving around Chicago, one witnesses e-scooters everywhere. One sees people riding on the bike paths, riding on the sidewalk, riding with traffic and riding against traffic. To add to the confusion, e-scooter riders have a tendency not to follow traffic rules like stopping at stop signs and stopping for red lights.
The influx of e-scooter riders on the sidewalks and on roadways have not only lead to more accidents but also more complaints from pedestrians who must dodge e-scooters. With more complaints comes more regulations. Some cities have gone a step further and have banned e-scooters all together. The city of Melbourne has recently voted to end its contracts with e-scooter operators, Lime and Neuron ending a two year trial period. “I have heard in recent days from residents, from traders, from visitors to Melbourne, literally begging us to bring the trial to an end to make our city safe again” Melbourne Mayor Nicolas Reece was quoted in saying at a news conference.
Though the e-scooters were popular, averaging 6,800 daily trips according to city statistics, the popularity also came with a sharp rise in complaints from pedestrians on footpaths and a sharp rise in emergency room visits. The Royal Melbourne Hospital reported 256 e-scooter related injuries in 2023, including one death.
Melbourne isn’t the only city banning e-scooters. Paris banned rented e-scooters in 2023. Copenhagen, Barcelona and London, while not out right banning scooters have servery restricted their use.
Chicago will have to wait and see if further restrictions are necessary to make e-scooter use safer. If you have been injured in an e-scooter accident, call the e-scooter injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer for a free consultation.