(WTHR) — A Consumer Reports study found 1,500 people across the country have been hurt in crashes involving those popular electric scooters since 2017.
The number of people hurt is likely much higher because many hospitals do not track the injuries.
Consumer Reports recently analyzed data from Lime and Bird, two of the biggest scooter companies.
The group also reached out to hospitals in cities where the scooters operate.
Doctors at IU Health in Bloomington reported seeing patients with concussions, broken bones and some who required surgery.
In October alone, the hospital treated 38 people for scooter-related injuries.
Last July, an Indianapolis man was seriously injured while riding a scooter.
He told Eye Witness News he was not wearing a helmet and doctors say that's the big problem.
Both Bird and Lime recommend wearing helmets, but they're not provided.
Researchers say cities should find ways to encourage helmet use.
One example is helmet kiosks, which is what Seattle did during a bike share program.
Experts also recommend companies connect with hotels to voluntarily provide helmets for scooter use.