E-scooter riders are at a substantially higher risk of sustaining traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, and vascular injuries compared to both motorcyclists and cyclists, according to a recent study analyzing data from England and Wales between 2020 and 2022.
The analysis, led by surgeon David Bodansky of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, examined data from the National Major Trauma Registry, including 580 e-scooter riders, over 7,000 motorcyclists, and 7,740 cyclists. The findings indicate that e-scooter users face a 3.5 times higher risk of traumatic brain injury and a 3.2 times higher risk of vascular injuries when compared to motorcyclists. The risk of internal organ injuries was 1.5 times higher. When compared to cyclists, e-scooter riders had 1.7 times the risk of traumatic brain injury, 1.4 times the risk of internal organ injury, and 1.7 times the risk of vascular injury.
A key factor contributing to these severe injuries is the exceptionally low rate of helmet use among e-scooter riders, recorded at just 5.9%. This contrasts sharply with motorcyclists, where approximately three-quarters wear helmets, and cyclists, at 45%. Despite the higher risk of head and internal injuries, e-scooter riders had a lower risk of fractures compared to motorcyclists and cyclists.
Electric scooters have seen a significant surge in popularity, with rental figures rising by 55% in the last year, leading to 16.7 million trips by 1.5 million users. However, the study highlights that their safety implications are not yet fully understood. The researchers suggest that stricter safety regulations, including mandatory helmet use, lower speed limits, geofencing, and temporal restrictions, are necessary to mitigate these risks. The study also noted that incidents were more common in deprived regions and found that men had a lower risk of crashing than women, while women were more than twice as likely to be severely injured.
In the UK, it remains illegal to ride privately owned e-scooters on public roads, pavements, or cycle lanes. Rental e-scooters are permitted only within designated government trial schemes. The Department for Transport reported 1,312 e-scooter collisions in 2024, resulting in 1,390 casualties, including six fatalities. A Department for Transport spokesperson acknowledged the concerning findings and stated that current e-scooter trials are evaluating their use in controlled environments before any wider legal framework is established to ensure safe usage.