College campuses are designed for movement. students walking to class, biking across campus, and increasingly, riding electric scooters. While scooters offer convenience and affordability, injury data nationwide shows a troubling trend: scooter and pedestrian injuries are rising on college campuses. 

Understanding why this is happening is the first step toward preventing serious injuries. 

The Rapid Growth of Electric Scooters 

Over the past few years, shared and privately owned electric scooters have become a staple of campus life. They’re: 

  • Fast 
  • Inexpensive 
  • Easy to access 
  • Ideal for short distances 

But with increased popularity comes increased risk. Many campuses were not originally designed to accommodate high-speed micro-mobility devices operating alongside dense pedestrian traffic. 

Congested Walkways and Shared Spaces 

College campuses are unique environments: 

  • Thousands of students moving at once 
  • Tight sidewalks and crosswalks 
  • Limited bike lanes 
  • Frequent street crossings 
  • Heavy foot traffic between class periods 

Scooters often travel faster than pedestrians expect. When sidewalks become shared between walkers, cyclists, and scooter riders, reaction time decreases and collisions become more likely. 

Speed + Inexperience = Higher Injury Risk 

Many scooter riders: 

  • Have little or no prior experience 
  • Do not wear helmets 
  • Ride while distracted (phones, headphones) 
  • Travel downhill at high speeds 
  • Ride double (two people on one scooter) 

Electric scooters can reach speeds of 15–20 mph. At that speed, a fall can result in: 

  • Concussions 
  • Facial fractures 
  • Broken wrists or arms 
  • Severe road rash 
  • Dental injuries 

Head injuries are especially concerning, as many riders do not wear helmets. 

Pedestrians Are Also at Risk 

It’s not just riders getting hurt. 

Pedestrians are experiencing injuries when: 

  • They are struck by scooters 
  • Scooters are left blocking sidewalks 
  • Riders weave through crowds 
  • Visibility is limited at night 

Students carrying backpacks, wearing headphones, or looking at their phones may not see or hear an approaching scooter until it’s too late. 

Nighttime and Visibility Issues 

Many campus injuries occur in the evening. Contributing factors include: 

  • Low lighting 
  • Dark clothing 
  • Reduced visibility at crosswalks 
  • Alcohol use during social events 
  • Fatigue 

When speed and reduced awareness combine, the likelihood of serious injury increases significantly. 

Lack of Helmet Use 

One of the most alarming trends in scooter-related injuries is the low rate of helmet use. 

Helmets dramatically reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury, yet many students view scooters as “casual transportation” rather than a vehicle requiring protective gear. 

A fall at 15 mph onto pavement can cause life-altering injury. The brain does not distinguish between a “short trip to class” and a high-speed crash.  

The Bigger Picture: Preventable Trauma 

Most scooter and pedestrian injuries are preventable. Small behavior changes can significantly reduce risk: 

  • Wear a helmet 
  • Slow down in crowded areas 
  • Use bike lanes when available 
  • Avoid riding on packed sidewalks 
  • Do not ride distracted 
  • Park scooters responsibly 
  • Increase visibility at night 

Campus safety is a shared responsibility. 

BVRAC and Injury Prevention in the Brazos Valley 

In the Brazos Valley, BVRAC works to strengthen trauma systems, public education, and injury prevention efforts across our region. As micro-mobility devices become more common on college campuses, community education and awareness play a key role in reducing preventable injuries. 

Through partnerships, outreach, and safety initiatives, BVRAC supports efforts that promote safer behaviors and faster response when injuries occur.