Number of children injured in e-scooter crashes in England surges

Calls for speed limiters or mandated helmet use after research into injuries at three paediatric trauma centres

The number of children involved in crashes on e-scooters has soared in recent years, with some as young as nine involved in collisions, research has found.

Researchers carried out a review of injuries among the under-16s at three specialist paediatric trauma centres – Alder Hey in Liverpool, and Sheffield and Royal Manchester children’s hospitals – between January 2019 and December 2024.

They found the average age of those involved in e-scooter collisions was 12, and almost 65% of those injured were male. The most common injuries were to the limbs, followed by head and facial injuries. Fewer than 2% of patients had been wearing a helmet.

Half of the children injured were between 10 and 13 years old, with the youngest only nine. The three hospitals had recorded a total of 477 e-scooter injuries, with a significant increase in numbers since 2019.

More than 80% of the injuries were sustained on private e-scooters, which can only be ridden legally on private land. The majority of the accidents had happened on public land, roads and parks.

Up to 1.2 million people in England are believed to privately own e-scooters, which are available to buy from many high street retailers. “Clearly, reporting these accidents is important to influence and change policy,” the researchers told the Emergency Medicine journal, adding: “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.”

Rented e-scooter are legal to ride on public roads. The rider must be 16 years old or older and hold at least a provisional driving licence. Rental scooters are typically speed limited to 15mph, and companies must have appropriate insurance.

In June, a 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, was sentenced to a youth referral order and a driving ban, after earlier pleading guilty to causing the death of his friend Jacob Calland, 14, who was a passenger on the back of his e-scooter when it collided with a car in Wythenshawe, Manchester.

After her son’s death, Carly Calland launched Jacob’s Journey, a campaign that aims to raise awareness about dangerous e-scooter use and the legalities around riding them.

“No words will ever be able to describe the pain caused by Jacob’s death,” she told the court in a statement as his friend was sentenced. “My heart has been smashed into a thousand pieces and there is nothing that can be done to fix it. My life is a living nightmare.”

DC Steve Pennington from Greater Manchester Police’s serious collision investigation unit said: “E-scooters are not harmless toys and they can lead to horrific consequences when used by inexperienced riders and without the due care required. I would urge parents to check what their children are using and to ensure they are educated about the risks of using them on the road.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “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.”