Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust release data from a five-year study on e-scooter injuries.
Clinicians from three of England’s major children’s trauma centres are urging families to be aware of the risks of using e-scooters, after new research revealed a dramatic rise in e-scooter injuries among children, with almost 500 young people treated over the past six years.
The study, published in the Emergency Medicine Journal, analysed data from January 2019 to December 2024 at three major children’s trauma centres at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.
They identified 477 children who attended hospital following an e-scooter-related injury, with annual cases rising from fewer than 10 in 2019 to almost 150 in 2024.
The average age of injured children was 12 years old, with half aged between 10 and 13. Nearly two-thirds (64.5%) were boys.
The findings also revealed that fewer than 2% of riders were reported to be wearing a helmet at the time of their injury.
While rental e-scooters are only available to people aged 16 and over as part of government trial schemes, privately owned e-scooters are widely used by children despite being illegal to ride on public roads, pavements and other public spaces.
Researchers say the growing number of injuries highlights an emerging public health challenge and are urging clearer public education, stronger enforcement and a review of current legislation.
Among the key findings:
- 95% of injuries involved the rider.
- 80% involved privately owned e-scooters.
- 75% were caused by falls from the e-scooter.
- Nearly 12% resulted from a collision with another vehicle.
- 5% involved pedestrians struck by an e-scooter.
- More than half of incidents occurred on public land, including roads, pavements and parks.
Injuries to the arms and legs were the most common, but almost one in four (24%) children suffered a head injury and nearly one in five (18.5%) sustained facial injuries.
One in ten head injuries was serious enough to require imaging, hospital admission and, in some cases, surgery.
Overall, the impact on hospital services was significant:
- Nearly 65% of children required medical imaging.
- More than 13% were admitted to hospital.
- 7% required surgery.
The study also found that three-quarters (74%) of injured children lived in areas of the greatest social and economic deprivation. While the study did not investigate the reasons behind this, the finding highlights that e-scooter injuries are disproportionately affecting children from more disadvantaged communities, which underlines the importance of clearer public health messaging and education to help reduce injuries and improve safety for children.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of children arriving in our Emergency Department with injuries related to e-scooters, many of which could have been prevented. While some injuries are relatively minor, others involve serious head trauma, broken bones and require surgery or admission to hospital.”
What is particularly concerning is that the average age of the children injured is just 12 years old, with very few wearing helmets and most of these on private e-scooters. These findings highlight the need for clearer public awareness around the law, better education about the risks of e-scooters.” – Charlotte Durand, Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine at Alder Hey.
Caroline Rushmer, Children’s Major Trauma Coordinator at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, said: “This research is really important as it helps raise awareness of the dangers of e-scooters. We’ve seen families in our hospital deal with the grief and trauma that these accidents can bring. These are not toys, they’re dangerous and their high-speed makes them unsuitable for children and young people.
“So, we hope with this research shining a light on the impact we’re seeing in our children’s emergency departments it will raise awareness of their dangers and help parents and young people take a moment to think before they get one.”
Dr Lisa Sabir, Emergency Medicine doctor and researcher at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Behind every one of these statistics is a child and a family who face a potentially distressing and unexpected trip to hospital. We know that families want to keep their children safe, and don’t want to come to our Emergency Department with these injuries, but sadly we are seeing more.
“We need to make it easier for children, young people and their families to understand where e-scooters can and cannot be used, and the risks involved. Clearer, consistent information, alongside appropriate legislation, road safety measures and greater use of helmets, could help families make informed decisions and, ultimately, prevent children from being injured.”
The study states that schools, local authorities, youth organisations and road safety campaigns have an important role in educating young people about the risks of e-scooter use.