E-scooters far more dangerous than motorbikes or cycles, analysis suggests

Study of accidents in England and Wales shows e-scooter riders three times more likely to suffer traumatic brain injury than bikers Electric scooter riders are three times more likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries than motorcyclists, according to an analysis of accidents in England and Wales – which found women were particularly at risk of serious harm. Brain injuries accounted for more than a third of adult injuries on e-scooters, but riders also sustained more internal organ and blood vessel damage than did motorcyclists or pedal cyclists, the study found. The government has backed trials of rental e-scooters in England since 2020, but an additional 1m or so e-scooters are privately owned in the UK. These cannot legally be used on public roads, paths or cycle lanes, but police forces across the country have confiscated thousands because their owners were breaking the law. The accident analysis reveals that women were involved in about a third more collisions than men – and were more than twice as likely to report severe injuries. Children were also at risk with, 16% of e-scooter injuries in under 18s. The findings have led to calls to make e-scooters more stable and safer, e