APRIL 04, 2007
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff participates on the ASTM F15.58 Powered Scooters and Skateboards subcommittee, providing technical support for the development of new safety standards for electric- and gas-powered scooters.
CPSC staff conducted a special study of emergency room treated injuries associated with powered scooters; the study covered incidents that occurred during the period July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004. During the study period, an estimated 10,015 emergency room-treated injuries were determined to be powered scooter related. Of the 10,015 injuries, two thirds of the injured persons were under 15 years of age and about 60% were male. Fewer than half the victims were wearing helmets at the time of the injury, and few were wearing any other safety equipment.
The CPSC staff special study also identified hazard patterns. The two most prevalent hazard patterns were (1) operator contributed to the incident (about 36% of the injuries), and (2) environment contributed to the incident (about 35% of the injuries). The scooter directly contributed to the incident in about 20% of the injuries. Examples of scenarios included in this pattern were: brake failed to engage, victim was cut on a sharp edge, front wheel was wobbling prior to the incident, handle bar came loose/detached, and victim was burned from touching a hot part of a gas-powered scooter.
The ASTM subcommittee is developing a draft Standard Specification for Safety Instructions and Labeling for Recreational Powered Scooters and Pocket Bikes and a draft Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Recreational Powered Scooters and Pocket Bikes. The draft standards include safety and performance requirements for load, braking and power.
Additional Information
Press Releases:
- Motorized Scooter Use Increases and Injuries Climb
- CPSC Staff Powered Scooter Study Shows Just 4 in 10 Victims Wore Helmets
Incident Data:
- CPSC Powered Scooters Special Study, April 2005
- Hazard Screening Report – Outdoor Activities and Equipment Generally Considered Children’s Products but Also Used by Adults, April 2004
Voluntary Standard and Code Activities:
- Correspondence to ASTM International - Request for development of standard for powered scooters, August 23, 2005
CPSC Staff Reports, Memoranda and Contracts:
- Which Helmet for Which Activity
- Powered Scooters, Consumer Product Safety Review – Fall 2005
- Meeting Log, Low-Speed Electric Scooters, January 20, 2003
Contact ASTM International:
- For further information, contact Kathie Morgan at kmorgan@astm.org or ASTM International athttp://www.astm.org
Contact CPSC
- For additional information or to comment, please contact cpsc-os@cpsc.gov
- Join a voluntary standards Email Subscription List