New research from the UK has found e-scooter riders face higher brain and organ injury risk than motorcyclists.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, analysed data from 15,247 patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic injuries from 18 cities in England and Wales between 2020 and 2022. This figure included 580 e-scooter riders, 7027 motorcyclists and 7640 pedal cyclists.
It found that, compared to motorcyclists, e-scooter riders were 3.5 times more likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury.
They were 1.5 times more likely to injure their internal organs, and 3.2 times more likely to suffer an artery or vein injury than motorcyclists.
Compared to those on push bikes, these risks were 1.7, 1.4, and 1.7 times higher, respectively.
Helmet use was only documented in 5.9% of e-scooter riders, compared to 75.7% of motorcyclists and 45.0% of pedal cyclists.
The study’s authors suspected helmet use, e-scooter design, urban infrastructure, and rider behaviour were behind the numbers.
Female riders were 2.1% times more likely to report severe injuries.
"The authors propose that this could be due to most e-scooters being designed for male body proportions and previously reported findings that female riders are more likely to ride on footpaths and unpaved surfaces."
In New Zealand, the first six months of 2026 saw 2761 new claims made to ACC for e-scooter-related injuries. There were 3295 active claims, with a cost of $9.2 million.
Jonno Leonard, owner of Auckland’s Electric Scooter Company, told 1News many customers had a relaxed attitude towards safety.
“There's definitely no social narrative that you should be taking care on these devices.”
Brain Injury New Zealand vice-president and AUT neuroscience professor Dr Kelly Jones said the consequences of a bad crash can be devastating.
“Let's say someone's travelling along on an e-scooter – there’s going to be speed involved,” she said.
“The body stops suddenly. However, the brain inside the skull continues travelling, and that will actually slam into the skull.
“Just like any other injury to the body, that can involve bleeding, bruising, swelling.”
Helmets and other forms of protection are not mandatory in New Zealand.
“The fact that you can ride a scooter without a helmet legally is just bonkers in my opinion,” Leonard said.
Both Leonard and Jones called for them to be mandated.
“I would certainly support recent calls for compulsory helmet use. We have compulsory helmet use for other high-risk activities – this should be no different,” Jones said.
“A helmet will not completely prevent a traumatic brain injury, but what it might do is minimise the extent of the injury and the impact.”
A July Coroner's report into the 2019 death of 24-year-old rider Toben Hunt, who hit his head after a scooter fall, repeated calls for mandatory helmet use.
Leonard and Jones also called for better education and public infrastructure.
Australia is developing national regulations around sales and safety standards for e-scooters and e-bikes. New York City has recently announced a crackdown on illegal high-speed e-bikes and e-scooters.
In New Zealand, the Government has confirmed that by the end of 2026 e-scooters will be allowed in cycle lanes.
Asked by 1News if he supported making helmets mandatory, Transport Minister Chris Bishop said: “Any further changes to e-scooter rules could be considered through the Government’s Land Transport Rules Reform Programme.
“The Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport is developing future tranches of the programme, informed by industry and public feedback.”
But Bishop said he “strongly” encouraged people to wear helmets, ride responsibly, and be aware of hazards.
“People need to remember that, like any vehicle, e-scooters can be dangerous if used recklessly.”
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