New data from three major trauma centres in England reveals a sharp rise in the number of children being treated for e-scooter injuries. Hospitals in Liverpool, Manchester, and Sheffield have recorded 477 cases involving under-16s since 2019, with annual numbers climbing from fewer than 10 to nearly 150 by 2024. The findings, published in the Emergency Medicine Journal, highlight a worrying trend that doctors say demands urgent action.
The average age of injured children was 12, and the youngest was just nine. Almost none of them were wearing helmets. The researchers, who are all emergency department doctors, are now calling for stronger laws to protect young riders. Currently, the UK has no legal age limit, speed restriction, or safety equipment requirement for the estimated 1.2 million people who own private e-scooters.
Not Harmless Toys
Many e-scooters come with a ‘turbo mode’ that allows speeds of up to 28mph, which is far faster than the 15.5mph limit for rental scooters. This speed, combined with a lack of protective gear, can turn a seemingly fun ride into a life-changing event.
In one tragic case, a UK teenager crashed a private e-scooter and killed his 14-year-old friend on a busy road. This incident is one of 59 e-scooter-related deaths recorded in the UK to date. Another case involved Jacob Calland, who was a passenger on the back of an e-scooter when it was struck by a BMW car in Wythenshawe, Manchester, in March 2025. Jacob suffered irreversible brain injuries. The driver of the e-scooter also sustained serious injuries, including a bleed on the brain and multiple fractures.
Detective Constable Steve Pennington from Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit stressed that e-scooters are not harmless toys. ‘They can have horrific consequences when used by inexperienced riders,’ he warned.
Growing Concern Among Emergency Doctors
The doctors behind the new review say the rise in injuries is not just a statistic but a reflection of a wider safety crisis. They point out that most incidents involve private e-scooters being ridden on public roads, pavements, and footpaths—all of which are illegal. Private e-scooters are only allowed on private land with the owner’s permission.
Half of the injured children were between 10 and 13 years old, and nearly two-thirds were boys. The most common cause of injury was falling off the scooter, with about 11% of cases involving a collision with a vehicle, which often led to more severe outcomes. Injuries to the arms and legs were most frequent, followed by head and facial injuries.
Serious Head Injuries
The lack of mandatory helmet use is a major concern. Unlike many other countries, the UK does not require riders to wear helmets, even for children. The researchers argue that this leaves young riders particularly vulnerable to serious head trauma, which can have lifelong consequences.
One doctor described the current situation as the ‘Wild West’, with few riders following any rules. The researchers believe that schools, local councils, youth groups, and road safety campaigns all have a role to play in reversing this trend.
‘Clearly, reporting these accidents is important to influence and change policy, but there must also be an onus on retailers to clearly advise customers of the law, and policymakers to regulate private e-scooters, such as with speed limiters, or mandate helmet use,’ they wrote.
What Are the Current Rules?
To legally rent an e-scooter in the UK, you must be at least 16 years old and hold a full or provisional driving licence. Rental companies must provide insurance, and their scooters are typically limited to around 15mph. However, these rules do not apply to privately owned e-scooters, which are effectively unregulated.
The Department for Transport responded to the findings, saying: ‘These are concerning findings, and our thoughts are with anyone who has been injured on our roads. It is illegal for private e-scooters to be used on roads, pavements, or in other public spaces, including by under 16s, and we’re bringing forward new laws to make their use safe and legal, including consulting on requirements like helmets.’
What Can Parents Do?
While the government considers new regulations, parents can take steps to protect their children. Experts recommend ensuring that any e-scooter used is appropriate for the child’s age and skill level, and that they always wear a properly fitted helmet. It’s also crucial to remind children that private e-scooters are not allowed on public roads or pavements, and that riding them in those areas is both illegal and dangerous.
The rise in injuries is a stark reminder that e-scooters are not toys. They are powerful machines that require responsibility and respect. As doctors and safety campaigners push for change, the hope is that stronger laws and better education will prevent more families from experiencing the heartbreak of a serious e-scooter crash.
