Serious injuries involving shared electric scooters in the UK are “extremely rare”.

That’s the conclusion of new research analysing the country’s largest e-scooter rental scheme, Voi.

However, wider road safety data shows e-scooter crashes remain a growing concern.

Two small wheels

The study, carried out by the transport research organisation TRL, examined more than 30 million journeys taken on shared scooters operated by Voi Technology across UK trial areas between August 2020 and October 2025.

Researchers identified just 23 serious injuries over that period, suggesting that the risk of severe harm on regulated rental schemes is relatively low compared with overall usage.

However, the findings come as official figures show hundreds of people continue to be injured in collisions involving e-scooters across Britain each year.

Data from the UK Department for Transport shows there were 1,390 casualties in crashes involving e-scooters in 2024, including six fatalities.

Of those injured, around 444 were seriously hurt, and 940 suffered minor injuries.

The majority of those injured were the riders themselves, but pedestrians and cyclists are also regularly involved in collisions with the vehicles.

 

 

Endless trials

Rental e-scooters have been operating in government-approved trial schemes in towns and cities across England since 2020, as ministers assess how the vehicles could fit into the country’s transport network.

Under current law, privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads or pavements, but shared rental scooters can be used in designated trial areas.

Supporters argue that the schemes offer a convenient, low-carbon alternative for short urban journeys, while critics say they pose new safety risks in already crowded road environments.

The TRL research suggests regulated schemes with speed limits, rider identification and controlled parking may help reduce those risks.

Despite the illegality of private scooter use, which has grown exponentially since 2020, and the lack of legal regulation that police can utilise to enforce, there is still no sign of government action.

The same problems exist in relation to trading standards and roadworthiness, with little effective regulation to guide safety standards and legal enforcement.

For example, the Fire Service has issued a warning about e-scooter charging in homes due to the number of house fires caused by defective chargers and batteries in cheap, unregulated e-scooter imports.

Underreported

Despite relatively low numbers of serious injuries in the Voi analysis, safety experts warn that official casualty figures may not capture the full scale of the problem.

Research cited by the road safety group, the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, found that fewer than 10% of casualties treated in hospital after e-scooter crashes are recorded in police statistics, suggesting the true number of injuries could be significantly higher.

Some studies also indicate that e-scooter riders can suffer particularly severe injuries in crashes.

Research published in medical journals has found riders are more likely than cyclists to experience serious head and limb trauma following collisions.

Less serious injuries and e-scooter crashes are just not reported or recorded at all.

Micromobility growth

E-scooters have rapidly become part of the urban transport mix in many UK cities, with millions of journeys recorded since trials began.

Operators argue the vehicles can reduce congestion and help people complete “last-mile” trips between public transport stops and final destinations.

However, surveys suggest public opinion remains divided.

Some polls indicate a significant proportion of the public believes e-scooters are unsafe on public roads or that safety rules need strengthening.

Their popularity amongst young people is huge, but there is little training or effective regulation on speed, helmet and safety equipment use, user insurance, or understanding the appropriate sections of the Highway Code.

 

Calls for regulation

The UK government has repeatedly extended the trial schemes while it considers permanent legislation for e-scooters.

Transport researchers say the TRL findings could influence that debate by highlighting the potential safety benefits of tightly regulated rental schemes compared with privately owned scooters, which often lack speed restrictions or safety controls.

Experts argue that clearer national rules, laws and regulations, alongside improved infrastructure such as cycle lanes and stronger enforcement, will be crucial with e-scooters becoming an integral part of Britain’s transport system.

For now, with casualty numbers remaining steady and usage continuing to grow, policymakers face a delicate balancing act between encouraging new forms of low-carbon mobility and ensuring the safety of riders and other road users.