Dozens of injuries linked to e-scooters as safety concerns grow

Ninety people were injured as a result of e-scooters in Bristol in just one four-week period, a study has revealed.

E-scooter riders were left with fractured limbs and head injuries - with three patients suffering a severe traumatic brain injury.

The data has been compiled as part of a study from by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS).

The data came from online media sources, insurance firms, the police, a major trauma unit and other organisations. The study's creators admit the data is "incomplete" but say it remains the "best available".

They found the majority of those injured - 96% - were e-scooter riders themselves as opposed to pedestrians or other road-users. And the majority of injuries - 71% - were caused when the rider fell from their e-scooter, rather than being involved in a collision with another vehicle.

Of the people hurt, 72 said they were using a scooter they had hired, rather than a private scooter.

But the report - and e-scooter firm Voi - agree not all riders are honest about whether they are riding private scooters as they are illegal to use on public highways.

While some people sustained multiple injuries, limb injuries were the most common. Around 40% of the injuries reported were a fracture, while 20% were head injuries.

The news has prompted campaigners to call for tighter regulation of the sale of private e-scooters and an end to trial schemes of rental e-scooters.

Street access campaign coordinator Sarah Gayton for the National Federation of the Blind UK says e-scooters cause "carnage" on the streets.

She described the injury figures as "terrifying" and "horrific", adding: "This should make the council take immediate action to halt the trial.

"It should also be a wake up call for the government to take action to stop the shops selling private ones. 

“This carnage on the streets is totally preventable; it is clear the scooters are not safe, they are inherently dangerous, unstable and unroadworthy.

"No more time is required to trial them, they should never be legalised and the sooner they are off the streets the better for everyone”.

While the private use of e-scooters remains illegal, trials where people can rent e-scooters from Swedish firm Voi are underway in Bristol and Bath.

The scheme is being led by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and was recently extended until March next year.

Already around 2.5 million trips have been taken on Voi e-scooters in the region.

In response to the report a spokesperson from Voi said its pilot scheme is among the "most strictly regulated" in Europe and added some riders are not honest about the type of scooter they are on - private or rented.

Matthew Pencharz, Voi’s Head of Public Policy told ITV News: “It’s early days for the e-scooter industry, currently, there is no industry standard for collecting and reporting accident data.

"With many different organisations collecting data without a consistent approach, we believe a single standard would be desirable so researchers, local authorities, and the general public can fully understand the positive impact of shared micromobility.

"This is especially useful in differentiating between private and rental e-scooters, especially as Avon and Somerset police research revealed that 93.5% of riders stopped by the police between November 2020 and May 2021 were private and not rental users."

He added: “Just like many cities and governments across Europe, Voi has a Vision Zero target and we think that cooperation with local authorities, national government, and operators to develop innovative solutions will come a long way to improve road safety for all."

WECA and Bristol City Council have been approached for a comment.