Among hospitalised patients, e-scooter riders are more likely to sustain traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other internal injuries than motorbike riders and cyclists, new research finds.
The researchers, led by Mr David Bodansky, surgeon and consultant at Chelsea Westminster Hospital, examined patient injury records from e-scooter, motorbike and bicycle collisions in England and Wales between 2020 and 2022. They found that e-scooter riders from their sample had more than three times the risk of sustaining TBI or blood vessel damage, and 1.5 times the risk of sustaining injury to their internal organs than motorbike riders, while e-scooter riders had a 74% higher risk of TBI than pedal cyclists.
Female riders had a higher collision risk and more than twice the odds of severe injury compared with male riders. Children were also found to be at higher risk of TBI when the injury involved an e-scooter compared to motorcycle or bicycle, with 16% of injuries being identified in riders under 18 years old.
Only around 6% of riders were documented to be wearing helmets, leaving the head unprotected during a fall.
The researchers discuss evidence that demonstrates how e-scooter falls against a kerb can generate the same head impacts capable of producing brain injury even at modest speeds, due to factors such as small diameter-wheels, surface irregularities and the standing posture required for riding e-scooters.
The study builds on previous research that found e-scooter cases were more likely to require care at a major trauma centre for serious head injury compared to bicycle cases (Bodansky, D. M. S. et al. Legalisation of e-scooters in the UK: the injury rate and pattern is similar to those of bicycles in an inner-city metropolitan area. Public. Health. 206, 15–19).
The research, published in Scientific Reports, concludes with a discussion on the importance of embedding public health evidence into UK legislation on e-scooters, in order to minimise the risk of sustaining life-changing injuries such as TBI.
Reference: Kungwengwe, G., Gach, M. W., Gowda, S., Tandanu, E., Donnachie, D., Menkin, Z., Sandhar, S., & Bodansky, D. (2026). E-scooter riders sustain more head and internal injuries than motorcyclists and cyclists in England and Wales. Scientific Reports, 16, Article 23470. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-59829-5