UK trauma centers log sharp rise in children's e-scooter injuries, spurring safety calls

Trauma centers in Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield have treated 477 under-16s for e-scooter injuries since 2019, with nearly 150 cases in 2024 and an average age of 12; most injuries result from falls and helmets were rarely worn. Private e-scooters on roads or pavements remain illegal in the UK, and there is no current age or helmet requirement. The report references a fatal crash involving a teenager and a 14-year-old friend and urges tougher laws, helmet use and speed limits, while the Department for Transport says new regulations are being developed; rental scooters typically cap at ~15 mph, while some private models can go faster.