Electric scooter riders are more likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries than motorcyclists or cyclists, according to an analysis of accident data from England and Wales.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, examined injuries recorded in the national major trauma registry after e-scooter, motorbike and bicycle collisions in 18 cities between 2020 and 2022.
Researchers found that adult e-scooter riders were more than three times as likely as motorcyclists to sustain traumatic brain injuries or blood vessel damage. They were also 1.5 times more likely to suffer internal organ injuries than motorbike riders.
The analysis suggested e-scooter riders also fared worse than pedal cyclists for these types of injury, although their risk of bone fractures was lower than for cyclists or motorcyclists.
Brain injuries accounted for more than a third of adult injuries among e-scooter riders in the study. The findings have prompted calls from experts for clearer laws, safety training and measures to improve the design and stability of e-scooters.
David Bodansky, a consultant hand, trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, led the analysis. He said the data did not explain why e-scooter crashes resulted in such injuries, but suggested the design of the vehicles could be a factor.
“They’ve got very small wheels and it’s very easy to jam one of those into a pothole. You’ll then go head over heels over the front and land on your head,” he said.
According to the study, fewer than 6% of e-scooter riders reported wearing a helmet.
The research also found differences in injury patterns between men and women. Women were involved in about a third more collisions than men and were more than twice as likely to report severe injuries.
Experts said e-scooter design may put women at greater risk of certain injuries, including chest injuries, because handlebars are often set at a height more suited to men.
Children were also represented in the injury data, with under-18s accounting for 16% of e-scooter injuries recorded in the study.
The findings come as the legal position of e-scooters in the UK remains divided between government-backed rental schemes and private ownership. Rental e-scooter trials have been supported by the government in England since 2020.
Privately owned e-scooters, however, cannot legally be used on public roads, pavements or cycle lanes. Despite this, about 1m privately owned e-scooters are believed to be in the UK, and police forces have confiscated thousands from riders using them unlawfully.
Researchers and transport safety specialists have said clearer rules are needed before e-scooters are used more widely.
Dr Petya Ventsislavova, senior lecturer in transport psychology at Nottingham Trent University, said the figures highlighted “the urgent need for comprehensive legislation governing private e-scooters”.
She said legislation should clarify where and how e-scooters can be used, and should include mandatory safety training.
“Unlike cars and motorcycles, e-scooters were introduced without any requirement for formal training, despite being motorised vehicles,” Dr Ventsislavova said.
She said e-scooters were different from bicycles because riders stand upright, have a higher centre of gravity and use more sensitive steering. Their small wheels can also make them more vulnerable to sudden stops caused by kerbs, potholes or road debris.
“These characteristics make them inherently less stable and contribute to the severity of injuries when crashes occur,” she said.
Previous research has examined how e-scooters are used in practice. In a 2024 study, Dr Ventsislavova found that more than half of e-scooter riders reported riding on pavements and carrying another person at the same time. Men were more likely than women to report using phones while riding and going through red lights.
The latest analysis does not establish the causes of individual collisions, but adds to concern about the severity of injuries when crashes occur. Experts cited in the research said making helmets compulsory and requiring safety training could reduce the risks.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “These are concerning findings, and our thoughts are with anyone who has been injured on our roads. Road safety is our top priority, which is why our 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.”
