Evaluating the Emergency Braking Abilities of Novice E-Scooter Riders: A Comparative Study of Training Impact

The collision avoidance abilities of e-scooter riders, and the extent to which training affects those abilities, is not currently known. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the emergency braking abilities and behaviour of novice e-scooter riders and assess to what extent emergency deceleration rates are improved after attending a practical training course. The mean deceleration rates of twenty-nine participants were measured during emergency braking manoeuvres on two types of e-scooters. Supplementary information was recorded using video footage and a questionnaire. Approximately half the participants attended a practical training course intended for novice e-scooter riders. A second test session was conducted with all the participants one week later using the same test method. In the first test session, the mean deceleration rates during the emergency braking manoeuvres in dry conditions were 0.306 g and 0.267 g for the commercial and private specification e-scooters, respectively. A small sample of damp tests were completed on the private specification scooter and the mean deceleration rate was 0.237 g. Participants who had received practical training improved by an average of 13% and 19% on the respective scooters. Participants who did not receive training made no improvement. This study provides a dataset that could be used by reconstructionists when investigating road traffic collisions involving e-scooters. The notable improvements in collision avoidance ability made by those who had received practical training may assist policymakers when considering the impact that in-person tuition may have on improving overall safety and reducing the number collisions involving e-scooters.