A study of three paediatric trauma centres in England found a sharp rise in e-scooter crash injuries among children since 2019, prompting calls for tighter regulation and better safety measures. The findings matter because most incidents involved privately owned scooters being used illegally in public places, often by children too young to ride rental scooters.

The hospitals recorded 477 injuries between 2019 and 2024; the average patient was 12, the youngest was nine, and almost 65% were boys. Limb injuries were most common, followed by head and facial injuries, while fewer than 2% of injured children wore helmets; more than 80% of cases involved private e-scooters. Private scooters are illegal on public roads, pavements and parks, whereas rental scooters require riders to be at least 16 with a provisional licence and are generally limited to 15mph.