Project Need and Approach
Micromobility devices like e-scooters and e-bikes have surged in popularity, with 128 million trips taken in the United States in 2021. Shared micromobility programs now operate in over 150 cities, and growth is expected to continue. While these devices provide sustainable and accessible transportation, they also pose safety risks as users share roads and sidewalks with vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. Crashes often result from high speeds, inexperience or traffic law noncompliance. Law enforcement struggles to regulate them due to limited training and insufficient incident data.
A recent Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program report found that micromobility safety research lags behind its rapid adoption. As these programs expand in Texas, evaluating safety impacts and educating stakeholders is critical. To address these challenges, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s (TTI’s) Center for Transportation Safety conducted a literature review, developed a micromobility safety curriculum, and created training for law enforcement and stakeholders to improve awareness, data accuracy and user safety.
Project Activities
In its multifaceted approach, TTI conducted a literature review to analyze micromobility trends, safety data, and regulatory practices in Texas cities. This review identified gaps in crash reporting and highlighted the need for targeted interventions. Based on these findings, TTI developed a micromobility safety curriculum covering injury statistics, traffic laws, and safe operating practices.
Three training sessions were held for law enforcement and safety coalitions, providing in-depth insights into micromobility laws and safety measures. TTI also created a comprehensive reference guide to assist law enforcement in accurately reporting micromobility-related incidents. The guide details various micromobility devices (like e-scooters and e-bikes) and their legal requirements and provides guidance for accurately reporting incidents involving micromobility using the Texas Peace Officer’s crash report (CR-3) form. Additionally, three infographics emphasizing helmet use, safe speeds, and the dangers of impaired riding were created and distributed to stakeholders.
Benefits to Texas Transportation Safety
Overall, TTI’s initiatives aimed to foster a safer environment for all road users by improving awareness and understanding of micromobility safety issues. By equipping law enforcement with tools to effectively enforce micromobility regulations and educating the public on safe practices, the initiative tackled safety in emerging technology. These efforts reduced risky behaviors among micromobility users, enhanced community awareness, and fostered safer interactions between all road users, ultimately contributing to fewer crashes and injuries in Texas.
Project Title: Safer Streets with Shared Micromobility: Identifying and Addressing Safety Risks for Vulnerable Road Users
Project Start and End Dates: October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024
Author List: Emmaline Shields
Sponsor/Funding Source: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)