There are calls to re-examine the safety of electric scooters, following another death and a series of severe injuries in US cities.
Irish exchange student Mark Sands, 21, died after a collision with an Uber car in Texas, in the early hours of Friday.
A study by watchdog Consumer Reports suggested this month there had been at least 1,545 scooter-related accidents in the US since 2017.It said cities and scooters companies needed to “improve safety”.
Mr Sands had been riding a Lime scooter.The electric-scooter-rental company said: “We were devastated to learn of this tragic death here in Austin and our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends during this extremely difficult time.
“We have been in contact with local authorities and will continue to assist however possible.”
“At Lime, the safety of our riders and the community is our number one priority.”
“That’s why every day we’re innovating on technology, infrastructure and education to set the standard for micromobility safety.”
Doctors told the researchers that they had seen multiple concussions, nasal fractures and broken limbs as a result of scooter accidents.
William Wallace, a senior policy analyst at Consumer Reports, said in the write-up of the study: “Right now, a stunning number of e-scooter users are getting seriously hurt, including with head injuries
“Consumers, scooter companies, cities, helmet-makers, and safety regulators must work together now to improve the safety of these products.”
