The newly introduced Bird and Lime electric scooters are a step toward a future of fewer cars and plentiful alternative transit. However, the scooters also present a problem of safety, and riders around NC State should take care when using them.

Electric scooters have exploded in popularity ever since their introduction to Raleigh over the summer. They offer mobility around the city faster than walking, but without the inconvenience of driving a car through traffic and finding parking. This comes at a cost; they can be very dangerous to riders and pedestrians.

The most obvious and easy thing riders can do to be safer is wear a helmet. Helmets greatly decrease risk of head injury in case of a fall or collision, and while they aren’t the most convenient thing to carry around, the safety offered greatly outweighs inconvenience.

Riders are required by law to be in the street, and while I understand this is in the interest of pedestrians, streets are not always suitable for electric scooters. I was driving down Western Boulevard a couple of days ago, and I ended up behind someone on a scooter. The road’s speed limit was 45 miles per hour, meaning cars tend to drive around that, but scooters operate at far lower speeds. This means it can be unsafe in heavy traffic if cars try to pass scooters. If riders do choose to use these faster streets, they should absolutely be cautious.

In cases where riders have to use a sidewalk or side path, they should do everything they can to accommodate pedestrians. This can be as simple as slowing down, turning early or even signaling where they are going.

Thankfully, while we haven’t had that much rain this semester, it’s important to keep in mind that wet ground can cause issues with braking and turning. The safest option would be to avoid riding altogether during or right after rain. Scooter wheels are far smaller than a car or even a bike’s wheels, and scooters are lighter than either, which means that there is little traction. While they offer more traction than scooters, bikes are not free of these issues; my friend rode on wet ground recently and slipped on a turn. Keeping this in mind, there is much more of a reason to be cautious on scooters, which are far less stable.

I use my own personal electric longboard almost every day, so I have a good understanding of what small motorized vehicles should and shouldn’t do throughout campus. I look far ahead of where I am, slow down when lines of sight are minimal, and I avoid paths with a lot of pedestrians or cars whenever possible. I almost crashed with someone riding an electric scooter about a month ago; they were going far too fast during a turn. Additionally, while I was wearing a helmet, they were not.

So far, injuries around campus haven’t been major, but aren’t uncommon or small. The Student Health Center reports five to ten injuries a week, including some significant bruises and some head injuries.

While the newfound scooters are something to celebrate, it’s important to stay vigilant and cautious. The NC State community should welcome new transportation technologies, while striving to be a responsible group of riders.