British study: E-scooters carry higher head injury risks than previously assumed

Risk factors in urban traffic

The data basis for the investigation comes from the United Kingdom. The study was published in the journal "Scientific Reports" and classified as robust by four sources. The United Kingdom is thus among the first countries in which the accident occurrence involving e-scooters has been systematically and scientifically examined.

The researchers emphasise that urban infrastructure plays a significant role. Narrow pavements, confusing intersections, and parked vehicles create situations in which scooter riders have little room to manoeuvre. In addition, fixed obstacles such as lamp posts, bollards, and rubbish bins are often unprotected at the roadside.

Compared with similar means of transport, e-scooters fare worse according to the study's findings. The researchers see parallels with motor scooters and motorcycles in terms of the type of injuries. However, the speed at which the devices are moved in everyday use differs significantly from that of motorised two-wheelers.

The researchers' recommendations for action

It is also striking, according to the study, that many users do not wear a helmet. The low helmet rate additionally increases the risk of severe head injuries. The authors derive a clear recommendation for action from this: protective equipment should be promoted more strongly and its use made easier.

The study results are also relevant for other European countries. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, e-scooters have gained significant popularity in recent years. The urban structures resemble those identified as risk factors in the British study.

Significance for the European context

The researchers call for a rethink in transport planning. Protected lanes, clearly separated paths for scooters and pedestrians, as well as better visibility at intersections could reduce the risk. The equipping of traffic surfaces with shock-absorbing materials is also discussed as a possible measure.

In the long term, according to the study's assessment, technical solutions could help. These include, for example, speed limits that adapt to the surroundings, as well as sensors that warn of imminent collisions. Such systems, however, are currently barely widespread and barely regulated.

The British study joins a growing number of international investigations that critically examine the safety of e-scooters. It provides new arguments for stricter regulation, more public education, and improved urban infrastructure.

Overall, the study shows that e-scooters are not a trivial component of urban traffic. The combination of speed, urban density, and unprotected road users requires targeted measures to reduce the number of severe injuries.