Emergency physicians at three UK hospital trauma centers are raising alarm over a sharp increase in pediatric injuries associated with e-scooter use, according to a new review. The centers in Liverpool, Manchester, and Sheffield have documented 477 cases involving patients under age 16 since 2019, with annual case numbers growing substantially from fewer than 10 in 2019 to nearly 150 in 2024. Children as young as nine have sustained injuries, with an average age of 12 among those treated.
The vast majority of injured children were not wearing helmets at the time of their incidents. Most injuries occurred while riding private e-scooters on public roads, pavements, or footpaths—uses that are technically illegal in the UK. Approximately half of the injured children were between 10 and 13 years old, and nearly two-thirds were boys. The most common injuries involved the arms and legs, followed by head and facial trauma. Falls from the e-scooter were the primary cause of injury, though roughly 11% of cases involved collisions with vehicles, which tended to result in more severe injuries.
Currently, the UK has no legal age restrictions, speed limits, or mandatory safety equipment requirements for the estimated 1.2 million private e-scooter owners. Some devices feature a “turbo mode” capable of reaching speeds around 28mph. In contrast, legally rented e-scooters require riders to be at least 16 with a valid driving license and are limited to approximately 15mph.
Emergency medicine doctors are calling for stricter regulations to protect children. They advocate for speed limiters, mandatory helmet use, and stronger enforcement against illegal use in public spaces. The doctors also recommend that retailers provide clearer guidance about legal restrictions and that schools, local councils, and road safety campaigns increase awareness efforts. A Department for Transport spokesperson acknowledged the concerning findings and indicated the government is developing new legislation to regulate private e-scooter use safely.
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