(Photo: Giorgos Kontarinis / Eurokinissi)

Study: E-scooter riders face higher risk of serious injury than motorcyclists

Add your Headline Text Here
@fyinews team

07/08/2026

Copy link
fyi:
  1. E-scooter riders are more than three times as likely to suffer a brain injury and about 1.5 times as likely to suffer internal organ injuries in an accident as motorcyclists, according to a new study in England and Wales.
  2. Minors accounted for 16% of those injured, while fewer than 6% of riders reported wearing a helmet.
  3. The study does not establish the cause of the higher risk, but researchers suggest e-scooter design may play a role, including features such as small wheels and a higher centre of gravity.

 

News


E-scooter riders are more likely to suffer serious injuries than motorcyclists, according to a new analysis of accidents in 18 cities across England and Wales between 2020 and 2022.

Among those injured, e-scooter riders were more than three times as likely as motorcyclists to suffer brain injuries or damage to blood vessels, while the risk of internal organ injuries was about 1.5 times higher. These injuries were also more common among e-scooter riders than cyclists. By contrast, fractures were less common among e-scooter riders than among motorcyclists and cyclists.

In Greece, around 400 e-scooter accidents involving minors were recorded in 2025, with about half requiring hospitalisation.

Around 16% of those injured were under 18, while fewer than 6% of riders reported wearing a helmet. The study also found more severe injuries among women. Researchers called for safer e-scooter designs for women, who suffered more chest injuries, noting that handlebar height is generally based on the male body.

The researchers said the data alone do not explain why injuries are more common or more severe. However, they suggested that features such as small wheels, an upright riding position, a higher centre of gravity and handlebars that are sensitive to potholes and obstacles may make e-scooters less stable.

Sources: Guardian, ERTnews

AD(1024x768)