The first reported electric scooter injury occurred two days after the scooters showed up in Omaha.
A 16-year-old girl fell off the scooter she was riding about 4:30 p.m. Friday and injured her right ankle.
Witnesses told police she was riding the scooter on 31st Avenue near Farnam Street when she drove into a business driveway too fast, began wobbling on the scooter and fell off.
The girl was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center in serious condition. The Omaha police report doesn’t mention whether the girl was wearing a helmet.
The scooters showed up on Omaha streets Wednesday after Mayor Jean Stothert approved a six-month pilot program the day before.
Scooters must be driven in the streets, and riders are encouraged to wear a helmet. Omaha police have announced that they will start ticketing scooter riders who ride on the sidewalks or don’t obey traffic laws. The rider agreement also stipulates that riders should be at least 18 years old.
A trauma surgeon at Nebraska Medical Center advised people to wear helmets and stay sober while riding the scooters to avoid injury.
