Sarah Morris used to be a fan of e-scooters. Then one of them tried to take her out.
The Seattle-based tour guide was riding a rental last year when she lost control. What came next reads like something out of an action film—minus the stunt crew.
“The handlebars whipped back and smashed me in the face,” she says. “I blacked out instantly. When I came to, my chin and forehead were torn open from the gravel.”
Sixty stitches, a traumatic brain injury, and a reality check later, Morris is done with scooters.
“I have zero tolerance for them now,” she says.
And she’s not alone. Cities like New York, Paris, and Madrid are cracking down hard—some banning scooters outright, others sharply restricting them. More cities are on the verge of following suit.
As someone who’s traveled the globe, I’ve seen the pattern: picturesque squares, charming alleys… and scooters swerving through crowds like it’s the Indy 500. Sidewalks have become slalom courses. Enough already.
“There are lots of reasons to stay alert while traveling,” says John Gobbels, COO of Medjet, a travel security and air-medical transport provider. “But the explosion of scooters and e-bikes definitely raises the stakes.”
The Hidden Danger on Every Corner
Medjet has noticed a spike in transport calls due to scooter accidents—both from people riding them and people hit by them.
And the data backs it up: A University of California–San Francisco study found e-bike injuries doubled annually from 2017 to 2022. E-scooter injuries? Up 45% each year.
The worst cases are chilling. A woman in West Hollywood suffered a fractured skull and brain swelling in a hit-and-run with a scooter. An American tourist in Sydney ended up hospitalized after getting struck by an e-bike on a path where riding was prohibited.
Most incidents don’t even make the news. But they still ruin vacations—and people’s sense of safety. Even near-misses can rattle you. And let’s be honest, half the time it’s tourists on joyrides causing the chaos.
Scooters: A Good Idea Gone Rogue
In theory, these vehicles are brilliant. Fast, cheap, eco-friendly. Great in bike lanes.
But here’s the problem: bike lanes aren’t always there. So riders end up choosing between playing chicken with cars or terrorizing pedestrians.
“In the street, scooter riders fear getting hit by cars. On the sidewalk, they know they’re endangering people,” explains Ralph Buehler, a Virginia Tech urban planning professor. “There’s no ideal place for them to go.”
And don’t underestimate their power. E-bikes can hit 30 mph. The new crop of e-scooters? Built like mini-tanks. Combine that with inexperienced riders and tourist distractions, and you’ve got a recipe for mayhem.
Tourists Aren’t Amused
Travelers are catching on. Jenna Rose Robbins, a consultant in L.A., calls Miami “a lawless mess” when it comes to scooters.
“I was nearly hit several times. No signs, no enforcement, just piles of scooters dumped on every corner.”
Back in Seattle, Morris has seen her walking tours nearly derailed—literally—by scooters clipping guests mid-step.
“People don’t realize walking tours pause and pivot,” she says. “Scooter riders often don’t slow down. It’s constant near misses.”
So, What Can You Do?
Stay alert. Especially at intersections—even when you’ve got the right of way. And never, ever assume you’re safe on the sidewalk.
ER doctor Chris Davlantes knows the dangers firsthand. He once crashed into a pedestrian while riding a scooter. The pedestrian walked away. He ended up with a concussion, two broken wrist bones, nasal fractures, and a busted finger.
“If you hit your head, even if you feel fine, get checked out,” he warns. “Don’t wait. Concussions can get worse fast.”
It’s Time to Take Back the Sidewalk
Here’s the simple truth: e-scooters and e-bikes should not be on sidewalks. Period. These vehicles belong in designated lanes—or not at all in crowded tourist areas.
The pickpocket used to be the biggest travel threat. Now it’s a scooter coming up silently behind you at 20 miles an hour.
So look both ways, keep your head up, and maybe think twice before hopping on that next rental ride.
Your face—and your vacation—might thank you.
