New evidence on e-scooter head injuries as new national rules take effect across Europe
A study published on 6 August in Scientific Reports has found that e-scooter riders admitted to hospital in England and Wales sustain traumatic brain injury at more than three times the rate of motorcyclists and 74% more often than pedal cyclists, after adjusting for age.
The study linked England and Wales’ National Major Trauma Registry (2020–2022) with ride and incident data from rental operator Voi across 18 cities (2020–2024), covering more than 33 million rides and 77.8 million km. Vascular trauma was more than three times as common among e-scooter riders as among motorcyclists, and internal organ injury 46% more common. E-scooter riders had a lower fracture risk than either comparison group. Traumatic brain injury accounted for over a third of adult e-scooter injuries. Helmet use was rare: just 6% of hospitalised e-scooter riders had worn one, against 76% of motorcyclists and 45% of cyclists. Children made up a disproportionately large share of e-scooter trauma compared with the other modes.
The findings were published as several European countries move to tighten e-scooter rules.
Greece’s Parliament passed a package on 21 July, banning use by under-17s, requiring third-party liability insurance for adult riders, and creating a national e-scooter registry. North Macedonia’s Parliament fast-tracked similar changes on 30 June, raising the minimum age from 14 to 18 and, notably, capping e-scooter speed at 20 km/h – the level ETSC has long recommended for an EU-wide standard.
Ireland’s new helmet and hi-vis requirement came into force on 4 September and a planned ban on use by under-18s is expected to be in force by the end of this year.
Belgium’s federal helmet requirement for e-scooters capable of exceeding 20 km/h took effect on 1 September, though shared e-scooters are exempt as operators have voluntarily capped them at that speed. The city of Brussels has announced the end of shared e-scooter services from 1 January 2027.
Italy’s new rules, rolled out progressively this year under the reformed Highway Code, include a 20 km/h speed cap, mandatory ID plates, mandatory third-party insurance, and helmets compulsory for riders of all ages.
The result is the continuation of a patchwork of measures across Europe. ETSC’s most recent report on the issue, called for mandatory EU-wide technical standards, including a 20 km/h factory-set speed limiter and requirements on stability, minimum braking and maximum acceleration, alongside a minimum rider age of 16, mandatory helmets, and a ban on riding with passengers or under the influence. ETSC continues to argue that the European Commission should issue guidance to Member States on rider rules, and legislate on the technical side, so that riders and manufacturers face one set of standards rather than a growing list of national variations.