Electric scooters pose higher brain injury risk than motorcycles

A new study conducted in England and Wales has revealed that electric scooter users face significantly higher risks of specific severe injuries compared to motorcyclists and cyclists. Analyzing data from the National Trauma Register between 2020 and 2022, researchers found that e-scooter users are 3.5 times more likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries than motorcyclists.

Additionally, users showed a 1.5 times higher risk of internal organ damage and a 3.2 times higher risk of vascular (artery and vein) injuries compared to motorcyclists. While the risk of bone fractures was found to be lower than that of cyclists and motorcyclists, the severity of head and internal injuries remains a primary concern.

A critical factor identified in the study is the extremely low rate of helmet use; only 5.9% of injured e-scooter users were documented wearing a helmet, compared to 75% of motorcyclists and 45% of cyclists. Experts suggest that the design of the vehicles, including small wheels that react violently to obstacles and a high center of gravity, contributes to these risks. There are also calls for improved ergonomics and mandatory safety training to mitigate these dangers.