Currently data on e-bike and Scooter accidents and battery fires is entered into various reporting systems, primarily on scene by first-responding law enforcement personnel.

Critical details of the time, location, injury assessment (4 levels), and any suspicion of impairment related to the accident or battery fire are entered.

In California, these accident or battery fire details eventually become part of the statewide SWITRS incident reporting database.

Victims, ambulance personnel, or accompanying parties verbally relay most of the accident specifics to ER personnel upon arrival. Receiving medical staff then may or may not enter details of the accident into a treatment or admissions software system. None of what is reported at the ER typically becomes part of the law enforcement reports, and vice versa. 

No centralized, comprehensive accident or battery fire reporting system currently exists to help admitting trauma personnel evaluate accident details—such as speed, e-bike weight, helmet use and additional riders—may affect the severity and type of suspected injuries, especially if the victim is unconscious.

Our e-bike report format includes critical additional details such as e-bike make, model, weight, age, helmet use and type, ages of injured parties and whether pedestrians or other bikes were involved. All of this information can enhance current CPSC NEISS reporting as well as requirements for pending Federal legislation such as

• Direct the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to develop a final consumer product safety standard defining clear and consistent classifications, labeling requirements, and minimum age recommendations for e-bikes, e-motos, and other off-road electric products.

• Require the CPSC to conduct and publish periodic studies on crashes, injuries, and fatalities associated with e-bikes and e-motos disaggregated by class.

• Establish a grant program and training module to help local governments, law enforcement agencies, and EMS standardize crash incident reporting, enhance data collection, and conduct public education on safety risks from e-bikes and e-motos.