So You Have Data.....Now What?

Trusted data is key. Now that you have it… what comes next should be easy, right? Yet, taking action to solve complex challenges isn’t always linear. Turning data into action often requires bringing together multiple stakeholders, careful planning, change management, performance tracking, and analytics. But what if the problem involves businesses, communities, and local, state, and national governments?

You may have noticed that I was going to connect this with biking. During long rides—whether I'm climbing up a dirt trail or cruising down the road—there’s always someone speeding by on an electric-powered bike. It's clear that e-bikes and scooters are becoming increasingly popular in our cities and trails, offering a greener and faster way to get around. As someone who relies on data, I began to wonder about the statistics on accidents and injuries. Are there more incidents occurring as e-mobility becomes more popular?

So, I dove into the data. Spoiler alert: the numbers are not just surprising; they’re alarming.

The Numbers: A Wake-Up Call

• E-bike injuries: Up 293% (2019-2022)
• Scooter injuries: Up 88% (2019-2022)
• 360,800+ ER visits (2017-2022) due to micromobility mishaps
• 233 fatalities (2017-2022), with e-bikes accounting for 104 of them

(Not a lot of new data since 2022)

Who's in the Saddle?

• Typical e-bike owner: Aged 25-34, urban dweller
• 40% of e-scooter injuries affect the 25-44 age group

From Data to Action: A Decision-Making Framework

In business, we often find ourselves with piles of data. The real challenge is knowing how to turn that data into actionable decisions. Do you move forward immediately? Do you wait for more information? Or do you need to involve multiple stakeholders to tackle the problem effectively? This process of translating data into action is as relevant in the boardroom as it addresses the rise of micro-mobility accidents.

The situation with e-bikes and scooters is a perfect example. The data clearly shows a problem, but how do cities, communities, and businesses come together to make real change? The answer lies in following a structured approach to decision-making, using the data to drive clear and impactful action; here is one framework.

1. Build Actionable Consensus

Just like in business, data alone is not enough. We need to build consensus among all the key players: city planners, businesses, and community leaders. It’s about using the data to create a shared understanding of the issue—whether it’s rising injuries in micro-mobility or a business challenge. When all stakeholders agree on the facts and the urgency, they’re more likely to take action.

For e-mobility, this might mean agreeing on the importance of rider education, infrastructure improvements, and protective measures like helmet use. Right now, only 13% of e-scooter riders wear helmets; we need to change that. But to get there, it takes collective buy-in from all those involved.

2. Set Achievable Plans and Tactics

Once consensus is built, it’s time to translate those insights into practical, achievable plans. In business, this might mean setting incremental goals or launching pilot projects. For micromobility, it could involve starting with education campaigns to promote helmet use, creating more accessible helmet options, and improving infrastructure to support safe riding.

Some cities are already progressing by building dedicated lanes for e-bikes and scooters and enforcing speed limits and helmet laws. Similarly, businesses need to set clear, measurable objectives that align with the data and can be tracked over time.

3. Implement, Measure, Share

The final step is implementation, paired with constant measurement and adjustment. In business, this means tracking KPIs, evaluating performance, and making adjustments based on results. For e-mobility, cities and organizations need to monitor injury rates, track usage patterns, and identify accident hotspots. As the data evolves, so should the regulations and safety strategies.

By sharing progress and results—both successes and challenges—we create a cycle of learning and improvement. In business, this transparency keeps teams aligned and drives continuous innovation. In micromobility, it could help prevent accidents and save lives.

The Road Ahead

Whether it’s navigating business challenges or addressing the safety risks of e-bikes and scooters, the process is the same: collect the data, build consensus, set a plan, implement it, and adjust as needed. We can’t bubble-wrap our cities—or our business problems—but with a structured, data-driven approach, we can significantly reduce the risks and improve outcomes.

Ready to ride into a safer, smarter future? Let’s roll! ??♂????

#DataDrivenSafety #UrbanMobilityRevolution #SmartDecisionMaking #RideSmart

Sources:

• YouGov: Tracing the Demographics of E-Bike Owners in the US
• Velotric: The Most Dangerous Places for Cyclists
• CPSC: Micromobility Products-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns: 2017–2022