Florida Mom Advocates for E-Scooter Safety After Son's Fatal Crash

Rise in E-Scooter and E-Bike Incidents

• 📈 Since the pandemic, doctors have observed a significant increase in the popularity of e-scooters and e-bikes, alongside a corresponding rise in injuries.
• ⚠️ Electric devices like e-scooters can reach speeds of 20, 30, 40, or even 60 miles per hour, posing a risk to both riders and drivers.

A Tragic Loss and a Mother's Mission

• 💔 Michelle Lynch lost her son, Connor, who was just three weeks shy of his 20th birthday, when he was killed while riding his e-scooter.
• 🚗 Connor was struck and killed by a car that turned left as he was riding to his off-campus home near USF.
• 🌱 Connor was a sophomore at USF, majoring in entrepreneurial business, with aspirations of running his own business.

Safety Concerns and Legislative Ambiguity

• 🚨 USF police reported 29 e-scooter-related accidents between 2023 and 2025.
• 🤕 The average age of patients treated for non-motorized scooter accidents at TGH is in the 20s to 30s, though Dr. Jose Diaz notes the average age of patients from non-motorized scooter accidents is 11.
• ❓ The rules of the road for e-scooters and e-bikes are described as ambiguous, varying significantly from city to city across Florida.

Advocating for Change

• ⚖️ Michelle Lynch is advocating for legislative changes to improve safety and provide clearer guidance for e-scooter and e-bike riders and drivers.
• 🏍️ She proposes that e-scooters capable of exceeding a certain speed should be registered vehicles with requirements similar to motorcycles and golf carts.
• ⛑️ While a helmet might not have saved Connor, advocates emphasize the importance of wearing helmets that offer enhanced protection due to the high speeds e-scooters can achieve.