E-scooter riders face a significantly higher risk of serious injuries, particularly to the brain, internal organs, and blood vessels, compared to those on motorcycles or bicycles, according to a new study.
The analysis, which examined data from the National Major Trauma Registry in England and Wales between 2020 and 2022, found that e-scooter users were 3.5 times more likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury than motorcyclists and 1.7 times more likely than cyclists. The risk of internal organ injuries was 1.5 times higher than for motorcyclists and 1.4 times higher than for cyclists. Vascular injuries were also more prevalent, with e-scooter riders facing a 3.2 times higher risk than motorcyclists and a 1.7 times higher risk than cyclists.
These findings underscore concerns about the safety of e-scooters, which have seen a surge in popularity for urban transportation. A key factor identified by researchers is the low rate of helmet usage among e-scooter riders, with only 6% reported to wear one, in stark contrast to approximately 75% of motorcyclists and 45% of cyclists.
While e-scooters offer a convenient and affordable mode of travel, experts are calling for stricter safety regulations. The study authors suggest mandatory helmet laws, lower speed limits, and measures like geofencing and temporal restrictions could help mitigate the risks associated with high-energy collisions.
In the UK, it is currently illegal to ride privately-owned e-scooters on public roads, pavements, or cycle lanes. However, rental e-scooters are part of government trial schemes in several cities, including Liverpool, Bristol, Birmingham, and some London boroughs. Despite their increasing use, with figures indicating a 55% rise in hiring and 16.7 million trips taken last year, there has been limited data on injury patterns and severity until now.
The study, led by surgeon David Bodansky of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, analyzed data from 580 e-scooter riders among a total of 15,247 patients. Interestingly, the study also noted that e-scooter riders had a lower risk of fractures compared to motorcyclists and cyclists. Further analysis of over 23,000 self-reported e-scooter collisions and near misses indicated that men had a lower crash risk than women, but women were more likely to sustain severe injuries.
The Department for Transport acknowledged the concerning findings and stated that current e-scooter trials are designed to test their use in controlled environments before any broader legal updates. Road safety remains a top priority, and the trials aim to ensure safe integration into wider use.