Neurosurgery 98:974–983, 2026
This study analyzes five years of micromobility-related trauma at a Level-1 urban trauma center, quantifying injury mechanisms, patient demographics, device types, and neurosurgical outcomes. Findings show rising electric device involvement, frequent motor-vehicle collisions, low helmet use, substantial ICU and operative resource needs, and a 1.2% in-hospital mortality.
Key implications highlight pedestrians—especially those struck by electric devices—as highest-risk, evening hours and alcohol as modifiable contributors, and helmet use and infrastructure redesign as actionable prevention targets to reduce neurosurgical burden.
Scope Retrospective cohort review of micromobility-related injuries (electric/mechanical bikes and scooters, plus pedestrians struck) presenting to Bellevue Hospital Center (Level-1 trauma center) from 2018–2023, assessing mechanisms, risk factors, injury patterns, and outcomes.
Growing burden 914 patients accounted for 6.9% of all trauma admissions; annual volume and electric-device involvement increased over time.
Mechanisms The most common injury mechanism was collision with a motor vehicle (49.9%), followed by falls (33.8%).
Clinical severity & utilization Most patients required hospital admission (~68%), 30.2% required ICU care, median LOS was 3 days, about half underwent a procedure/intervention, and in-hospital mortality was 1.2%.
Neurotrauma patterns TBI was frequent (about one-third of patients) and neurosurgical interventions occurred in 3.7% (eg, craniotomy/hemicraniectomy 1.1%, ICP monitor/EVD 0.8%, spine decompression/instrumentation 0.7%).
Helmet use Helmet use was low (31.7% with documented status); not wearing a helmet was associated with higher rates of TBI and craniofacial trauma.
Alcohol & timing Alcohol intoxication was common and associated with lower helmet use and higher TBI/craniofacial injury; injuries clustered in evening/overnight hours, indicating modifiable environmental/behavioral risks.
Highest-risk group Pedestrians had the most severe outcomes (higher TBI, admission and ICU rates), with greater injury severity when struck by electric devices; after propensity matching, electric vs mechanical riders had no significant outcome differences.
You must be logged in to post a comment.