People who ride e-scooters face a significantly higher risk of injuries to the brain and internal organs than cyclists or motorcyclists, according to a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Researchers found that compared with motorcyclists, e-scooter riders face a 3.5 times higher risk of traumatic brain injury, a 1.5 times higher risk of injuring internal organs, and a 3.2 times higher risk of injuries to arteries or veins. Compared with cyclists, the risks were 1.7, 1.4 and 1.7 times higher respectively.
The research team, led by surgeon David Bodansky of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, wrote in the journal that the high burden of head trauma alongside low helmet use reiterates the need for mandatory helmet legislation, supported by integrated or rental helmet systems and targeted enforcement for younger riders. They added that the prevalence of internal organ and vascular injuries highlights high-energy collisions, supporting measures such as stricter speed limits, geofencing and temporal restrictions.
How the study was conducted
It is currently illegal to use privately owned e-scooters in public in the UK. They are available to rent only as part of government trial schemes in cities including Liverpool, Bristol, Birmingham and a number of London boroughs.
Figures cited in the study show the number of people hiring e-scooters rose by 55 per cent in the last year, with 1.5 million users making 16.7 million trips. Despite this growth, researchers said there is limited evidence about injury patterns and their severity.
The team analysed data for 15,247 patients on the National Major Trauma Registry, including 580 e-scooter riders, more than 7,000 motorcyclists and 7,740 cyclists. The analysis focused on moderate-to-severe injuries recorded across England and Wales between 2020 and 2022.
Helmet use remains low
Helmet use was documented in just 5.9 per cent of e-scooter riders, compared with around three-quarters of motorcyclists and 45 per cent of cyclists. However, the researchers found that fracture risk for e-scooter riders was lower than for the other two forms of transport.
Women at higher risk of severe injury
The team also analysed more than 23,000 self-reported e-scooter collisions and near misses. This showed that men had a 36 per cent lower risk of crashing than women, and that women were 2.1 times more likely to be severely injured.
Looking at both sets of data revealed previously under-explored trends, the researchers said, including incidents being more common in deprived regions. The study concluded that better helmet use, improved rider education and policies targeting high-risk groups could help reduce the growing toll of serious e-scooter injuries.
The latest Department for Transport figures show there were 1,312 collisions involving e-scooters in 2024, up from 1,292 in 2023. There were 1,390 casualties and six people killed.
Government response
A Department for Transport spokesman said: "These are concerning findings, and our thoughts are with anyone who has been injured on our roads."
The spokesman said road safety is the department's top priority, which is why e-scooter trials are testing their use in a controlled environment now, before updating the law to ensure they can be used safely more widely.
Last year a crackdown on e-scooters was launched after a spate of incidents left members of the public "scared" and "threatened." A campaign launched by Crimestoppers urged the public to report dangerous and illegal use of off-road motorbikes, mopeds, e-bikes and e-scooters, amid growing concerns the vehicles are being ridden in residential areas, on town centre pavements and in parks.
