CPSC Report on Scooter Sales, Injury Soar
Washington D.C. - Fall 2000

“These scooter are the 'in' thing with kids heading back to school,” said U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman, Ann Brown. “Unfortunately, many kids are ending up in hospital emergency rooms instead of classrooms. Wearing safety gear can help prevent injures.”

The scooters, which first went on the market in the US last year, are new versions of the foot-propelled scooters first popular in the 1950s. They are made of lightweight metals such as aluminum and have small low-friction wheels similar to those on in-line skates. They usually cost between $80.00 and $120.00 and typically weigh less than ten pounds. They can be folded for easy portability.

Most injuries resulted when riders fell from the scooter. Fractures and dislocations accounted for 29 percent of the injuries. Most of the fractures and dislocations were to arms and hands.

The best investment against injury is protective gear which can cost less than $35.00.

CPSC recommends the following guidelines:

Wear a helmet that meets CPSC's standard, along with knee and elbow pads.

Ride the scooters on smooth, paved surfaces without any traffic. Avoid streets or surfaces with water, sand, gravel or dirt.

Do not ride the scooter at night.