A real danger for scooter and e-bike riders (other than cars)
A recent tragic incident in Portland, Oregon, one of countless such incidents, is drawing attention to a lesser-known but very real danger for micromobility riders: the state of our roads.
Earlier this month, a husband and father in Portland died while riding an electric scooter on a local road. The road had a speed limit of just 25 mph, but the problem wasn't road speed or car traffic, which are typically responsible for most rider deaths. According to reports, Randy Phelps fell from his scooter after hitting a pothole in the road. He spent nearly three weeks on life support before passing away. His organs saved the lives of three other people.
This loss is heartbreaking—but sadly, it's not unique.
The pothole was reported to the city multiple times, both by local residents and roadside businesses. Just days after Phelps' death, the city finally filled it.
We talk a lot about the dangers posed by bicycle and scooter rides. And for good reason... They're the number one cause of death for micromobility users. But it's time we recognize that dilapidated infrastructure is another fatal factor.
Potholes, cracks, unmarked ditches, and uneven pavement may be overlooked or considered a minor annoyance for SUVs or pickup trucks. But they can prove deadly for electric scooters or e-bikes. Especially at these vehicles' normal speeds, which often range between 25 and 45 km/h, a sudden jolt or loss of control in a deep pothole can easily cause the rider to fall.
Electric scooters are particularly vulnerable. Typically available with smaller 8- to 9-inch wheels, they don't have the ability to roll over wide cracks or potholes like their larger-diameter counterparts. Instead, they plunge into them. Hitting a large pothole on a scooter can often result in an instant accident. E-bikes generally fare better, with larger diameter wheels offering slightly more handling capability. But even on a bike, a misstep on a pothole or the wrong corner can throw you off the handlebars or throw you off your line, especially if you're crossing a narrow, already-traffic lane. And the edge of a pothole can easily puncture an under-inflated bicycle inner tube with a flat in a pinch.
This is why fat-tire e-bikes—with their large, 3- or 4-inch-wide tires—are so popular. They not only offer a comfortable riding experience but also provide a layer of protection by navigating rough roads and filling in small potholes instead of slipping through them. It's not a magic solution, but it's helpful on rough roads.
I've recently been spending time on the new VMAX VX2 hub scooter, which has relatively large 10-inch tires, even by electric scooter standards. It's also tubeless and performs close to motorcycle tires. While 10 inches still isn't a lot, I still prefer scooters with larger wheels like this over smaller budget options, especially for the added safety those larger tires provide.
Ultimately, it's not a matter of seat tire width or diameter. It's a matter of infrastructure. Many cities across the US have done a great job encouraging people to choose alternative modes of transportation. In fact, Scotland is often considered one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country, and even there, it took the life of a local cyclist to get a pothole filled.
Encouraging people to switch from cars to scooters or bikes isn't enough. This means maintaining a safe environment for those users. This includes re-paving broken roads, promptly filling potholes, and keeping bike lanes clean and usable—not just drawing lines and getting by.
And while I hope this doesn't sound like a blaming tactic, we riders also need to understand that part of surviving on two wheels is driving defensively—not just against the cars, but also against the road. This could mean looking ahead more carefully, being mindful when approaching a car or suspecting a robbery, and even choosing safer routes. On my first e-bike in 2010, I changed my fairings from an O-shape to a D-shape while riding too far behind a car, failing to see a large pothole in time, and it taught me a valuable lesson that I still remember 15 years later.
This doesn't mean we should blame riders; cities are responsible for road repairs. But until that happens—and as long as we keep pushing for it—we riders will have to ride as if our lives depend on it, because they often do.
