Is It Dangerous To Use An Electric Scooter In Manhattan?

Cellino Law is proud to serve Manhattan and surrounding New York communities with experienced, compassionate personal injury representation, and few questions come up more often from clients than this one: is it actually dangerous to ride an electric scooter in Manhattan? The honest answer is that it depends on how — and where — you ride.

New York legalized electric scooters and e-bikes in 2020, and since then they have become a familiar part of the city’s transportation mix. Delivery workers, commuters, and tourists all use them to skip subway delays, cut down on rideshare costs, and move through Manhattan traffic more efficiently. They are cheaper to operate than a car, produce no emissions, and can shave real time off a daily commute.

That convenience comes with real risk, though. Electric scooters offer almost no protection to the rider. There is no frame, no airbag, and no seatbelt standing between a rider and the pavement, a pothole, or an oncoming vehicle. When something goes wrong, it tends to go wrong quickly and with serious consequences.

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Electric Micromobility Accidents Are on the Rise

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has tracked a troubling trend. Between 2017 and 2020, emergency department visits tied to micromobility devices — electric scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards — climbed by roughly 70%. Electric scooters accounted for the largest share of that increase, generating close to three times as many emergency room visits as other micromobility devices during the same period.

To put the scale of that jump in perspective, the CPSC recorded about 7,700 emergency department visits connected to electric scooters in 2017. By 2020, that number had risen to roughly 25,400. Ridership grew during those years, but injuries grew faster.

What You Need to Know About Manhattan’s E-Scooter Accident Numbers

Local data tells a similar story. In a single recent year, Manhattan recorded 349 accidents involving electric scooters or bikes, resulting in 359 injuries and two deaths. Looking back further, the borough logged 556 crashes involving scooters or bikes since 2017, with five fatalities and 571 injuries over that stretch.

Crashes are not confined to one part of the borough. A citywide crash map shows a fairly even spread of incidents, although stretches like West 125th Street and the area around Central Park South tend to see more than their share. Fatal accidents during this period have occurred on streets including West 24th Street, East 61st Street, Third Avenue, and Pleasant Avenue.

Why do intersections matter so much? Most scooter crashes happen at intersections or cross streets, largely because turning drivers don’t always anticipate a scooter approaching — especially when the rider is on the sidewalk, where riding is illegal under New York law except in specific local exceptions.

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Common Challenges People Face With Electric Scooter Accidents

More than half of Manhattan’s electric vehicle accidents between 2017 and 2022 had no clearly listed cause, which itself creates a challenge: it can be difficult to establish fault when the underlying paperwork is incomplete. Among the crashes with a documented cause, driver inattention and distraction topped the list, followed by:

• Failure to yield the right-of-way
• Confusion between pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders
• Disregarding traffic signals or signs
• Improper passing or lane usage
• Unsafe speed

Scooter-specific hazards add another layer of risk. Uneven pavement, loose road debris, wet or icy surfaces, and mechanical failure of the scooter itself can all cause a crash even when no other vehicle is involved.

Don’t wait for the insurance company to delay your claim — contact Cellino Law now if you’ve been hurt in a scooter accident anywhere in Manhattan.

Who Gets Hurt in a Manhattan Electric Scooter Accident?

The people most at risk in an electric vehicle accident are the ones with the least protection. Between 2017 and 2022, only 50 motorists were injured in accidents involving electric vehicles in Manhattan, and none were killed. Riders and pedestrians bear the brunt of these crashes because they have nothing shielding them from the impact — not even a helmet in most cases, since fewer than 5% of injured riders reported wearing one.

Types of Injuries Electric Scooter Accidents Can Cause

Electric scooter crashes can produce a wide range of injuries, from minor scrapes to life-altering trauma.

Head and neck injuries. About 30% of emergency department visits following scooter accidents involve head or neck trauma, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries.

Extremity injuries. Broken bones, dislocations, and soft tissue damage to arms, wrists, hands, and legs are the second most common category of injury.

Torso injuries. Spinal injuries, rib fractures, pelvic fractures, and internal organ damage happen less frequently but can be severe and require long-term treatment.

Cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Even “minor” injuries can send someone to urgent care, force time off work, and cause lingering pain that affects daily life.

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Why Understanding Your Rights Matters After a Scooter Accident

An electric scooter accident is not just a physical setback — it can mean stacking medical bills, lost income, and an insurance company that is in no hurry to make things right. Understanding your legal options early matters because evidence disappears quickly. Surveillance footage gets overwritten, witnesses move on, and road conditions get repaired before they can be documented.

Electric Scooter Safety Tips for Manhattan Riders

Riding safely won’t eliminate every risk, but it significantly reduces the odds of a serious crash.

• Inspect the scooter before you ride. Check the brakes, bell, handlebars, lights, frame, and tires for damage, whether it’s a rental or your own.
• Wear protective gear. Helmets are not legally required for adult riders in New York City, but they dramatically reduce the risk of severe head injury. Knee and elbow pads help too.
• Test your brakes early. Stopping distances vary between scooter models, so know how your ride handles before you need to stop quickly.
• Make yourself known. Electric motors are quiet. Use a bell or horn near pedestrians and drivers, and never assume a motorist has seen you.
• Never ride under the influence. Alcohol and drugs impair balance, judgment, and reaction time.
• Keep both hands on the handlebars and avoid hanging bags or other objects from them.
• Watch for road hazards. Potholes, wet leaves, ice, and debris are common causes of solo scooter crashes.
• Follow all traffic laws and manufacturer guidelines, including posted age and weight limits.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Scooter Accidents

Is riding an electric scooter in Manhattan illegal? No. E-scooters have been legal in New York City since 2020, provided riders follow local speed limits, stay off sidewalks where prohibited, and obey traffic laws.

Who can be held liable after a scooter accident? Depending on the facts, liability may fall on a negligent driver, a scooter rental company, a property owner responsible for a hazardous surface, a city agency, or the scooter manufacturer if a defect caused the crash.

What if I was partly at fault? New York follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you may still recover compensation even if you share some responsibility, though your award may be reduced accordingly.

Is It Safe To Ride an Electric Scooter in Manhattan?

Millions of people ride electric scooters safely every day, and Manhattan is no exception. Riding responsibly, wearing protective gear, and staying alert to traffic and road conditions go a long way toward preventing a serious accident. But even the most careful rider cannot control what a distracted driver, a poorly maintained street, or a defective scooter might do.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in an electric scooter accident in Manhattan, Cellino Law is here to help. We offer a free consultation, and you don’t pay us unless we win your case. Let Cellino Law fight for the results you deserve — call today to talk through what happened and what your options are.