Number of pedestrians hit and injured by e-scooters in UK was FOUR times higher in 2021 than 2020

New figures show that pedestrians were nearly four times more likely to be injured by e-scooters in 2021 than they were the previous year.

Department for Transport statistics showed that 223 people who traveled on foot in Britain were injured by the contraptions last year, with 63 of them being seriously hurt.

The average age of an E-scooter rider involved was 10 to 19, while 50 to 59 was the most common age group for an e–scooter crash victim.

2020 saw a mere 57 pedestrian deaths, with only 13 serious injuries.

In the UK, collisions involving electric scooters saw a dramatic rise in deaths in 2021.

The average age of the person involved in a collision between an escooter and a rider was between 50-59

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps made his intentions to introduce new legislation concerning e-scooters in the Transport Bill clear, though the specifics are unknown

There is no current legislation for escooters. However, it is legal to purchase and sell escooters in the UK. However, there are restrictions as to where they can be used.

These figures were released weeks after the Government announced that it would introduce new legislation to regulate the use of e–scooters.

Despite being banned, private e-scooters can be used on public roads and pavements.

Legalized trials of rental escooters have been established in dozens cities across England to test their safety.

Trial areas like Merseyside, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire had similar numbers of collisions involving rental scooters to those for privately owned ones. However, Northamptonshire only had collisions involving rental e-scooters.

According to statistics, 64 cyclists were also injured in e-scooter accidents in 2021, compared with 21 in the previous 12 month.

In 2021, 76% of all fatalities in accidents involving e-scooters involved the device were caused by injuries to riders or passengers on e-scooters.

Last year, nine people were killed in escooter collisions. All were riders.

A breakdown of the injuries that resulted from e-scooter accidents shows that 28 people sustained serious head injuries, 32 suffered fractures to their lower legs, ankles, or feet, and three had their necks or backs broken.

The actual number of casualties in that period is likely higher because not all police provided complete data.

A spokesperson for the Government said that they extended their deepest sympathy to all those affected by these tragic events.

Safety is the core of our e-scooter trials. We want to protect pedestrians, riders, and all road users.

We have provided clear guidance and guidelines for both users and rental companies regarding helmets, speed limits, and precautions to keep everyone safe.

“While riding an e-scooter owned privately on public land is illegal at the moment, we are looking at how to make future regulations.

“Our Transport Bill will allow us to take the steps necessary to support innovation, toughly crack down upon irresponsible usage and make e-scooters more safe.”

The new Transport Bill was mentioned by the Department For Transport earlier this month.

They intend to regulate e-scooters using its own rules, separate from those for bikes and motorcycles.

More than a million escooters are believed to be illegally on Britain’s roads.

A coroner said at Ms Hartridge’s inquest: ‘The scooter was being unsuitably driven, too fast and with an underinflated tyre and this caused the loss of control and her death’

Official trials limit machines to 15.5mph

A back-room industry can convert an escooter into unlicensed motorbikes capable driving over 30 mph.

Imperial College London researchers found that three quarters of scooter riders would fall to the ground if the scooter struck a pothole between 2.5in and 3.5in (6cm-9cm) and that the force of the fall would cause a skull fracture. 

Emily Hartridge, TV presenter and YouTube celebrity, was the first escooter driver to die on a British roadway in 2019.

A coroner found that she was riding her e-scooter too fast and had an under-inflated tire when she collided into a truck. 

A Voi e-scooter caught on fire in Bristol, days after it was banned from the London Tube.

One passenger was harmed by smoke inhalation after a machine caught on fire at Parsons Green underground station.

London Fire Brigade attended more 50 fires involving electric scooters and ebikes last year, more than twice the number seen in 2020.