E-Scooter Riders Face Triple the Injury Risk Compared to Cyclists: What You Need to Know

In cities across the globe, stand-up electric scooters (e-scooters) have become a fast, fun, and seemingly convenient way to navigate urban streets. But behind the sleek design and app-enabled access lies a growing public safety concern. A new peer-reviewed study published in Scientific Reports has found that e-scooter riders are more than three times as likely as cyclists to end up in the hospital after a crash—highlighting alarming risks that are often overlooked in the rush toward micromobility.

At KBD Attorneys, we’ve been warning about this trend for years. We’ve seen firsthand the serious injuries that can result from e-scooter and e-bike accidents, and we remain committed to helping victims recover and hold negligent parties accountable.

Here’s what you need to know about the dangers of e-scooters, the findings from the new research, and how KBD Attorneys can help if you’ve been injured.

E-Scooters: A Dangerous Trend on the Rise

Picture a Friday night downtown: neon lights, music from nearby bars, and the low hum of scooters zipping past traffic. Whilemicromobility platforms like e-scooters and e-bikes offer eco-friendly alternatives to cars, they alsocome with new dangers. Unlike cars, these lightweight, fast-moving vehicles offer no physical protection. The rider is the bumper.

According to the new study led by researchers in Helsinki, emergency room visits related to e-scooter use are significantly more common—and in many cases, more severe—than those related to bicycles. The team analyzed over 2,500 crash-related injuries treated at three local emergency departments between January 2022 and December 2023.

Their findings are clear: stand-up e-scooter riders are at significantly higher risk of serious injury than cyclists, especially when riding at night, under the influence of alcohol, or without a helmet.

“Even with speed limits in place, the relative risk for e-scooter injuries compared to bicycles was 3.6 (95% CI: 3.3–3.9),” the study reported.
Seitakari et al., 2025

Key Findings from the Study

Here are some of the most important takeaways:

Injury Rates and Severity

• Over the two-year period, 677 e-scooter riders and 1,889 cyclists were treated in Helsinki emergency rooms for crash-related trauma.

• When accounting for the number of trips taken (8.06 million for e-scooters vs. 82.98 million for bicycles), the injury rate for e-scooters was 7.8 per 100,000 trips, compared to 2.2 per 100,000 trips for bicycles.

• That means e-scooter riders were 3.6 times more likely to get injured per trip than cyclists.

Head and Neck Trauma

• E-scooter riders were more prone to head and neck injuries (46% of crashes) compared to cyclists (31%).

• Helmet use was extremely low among e-scooter riders—only 4% wore one during a crash.

• In contrast, 28% of injured cyclists were helmeted.

Alcohol as a Major Factor

• Alcohol was detected in 29% of e-scooter riders versus 8% of cyclists.

• Among intoxicated riders, helmet use was rare, and head injuries spiked to 76% for scooter users and 63% for cyclists.

• Notably, 40% of scooter accidents happened at night, and half of these involved alcohol.

Hospital Resources and ICU Admissions

• 1.2% of e-scooter riders required ICU admission (most due to head trauma).

• Although more cyclists overall were hospitalized (9.8% vs. 8.1%), the nature of e-scooter injuries often involved the brain, which may lead to lifelong consequences.

E-Scooter vs. Bike Injuries: What’s the Difference?

The study also shed light on the types of injuries most commonly seen:

• E-scooter riders were more likely to suffer from craniofacial fractures, including broken jaws, noses, and skull bones.

• Cyclists often had upper limb injuries, like fractured wrists, clavicles, and ribs—likely from instinctively bracing during a fall.

• Cyclists were more often treated surgically (13% vs. 8%) due to orthopedic injuries.

Despite municipal efforts like late-night speed caps (15 km/h since 2021), the injury gap hasn’t closed. Researchers conclude that rider behavior, not just technology, is what’s fueling the problem.

What This Means for Urban Safety

The explosion of scooter-sharing apps has outpaced local safety policies. Riders often assume that because e-scooters are lightweight and easy to rent, they’re relatively safe—but this study proves otherwise.

Key recommendations from the researchers and public safety advocates include:

• Helmet mandates for rental platforms

• In-app alcohol screening features

• More robust enforcement of nighttime speed limits or bans

• Separated, protected micromobility lanes

At KBD Attorneys, we agree: it’s time for cities and e-scooter companies to take injury prevention seriously.

KBD Attorneys Can Help if You’ve Been Injured

We’ve seen a rise in injuries related to e-scooters and e-bikes—especially cases involving:

• Collisions due to malfunctioning rental scooters

• Riders struck by vehicles without adequate lane protection

• Accidents caused by poor road conditions or lack of lighting

• Head injuries sustained while not wearing helmets

If you or a loved one has been injured in an e-scooter or e-bike accident, you may be entitled to compensation. These cases can involve negligent companies, reckless drivers, or municipalities that failed to provide safe infrastructure.

KBD Attorneys is actively representing clients in personal injury claims involving micromobility devices. We offer free consultations, and you don’t pay unless we win your case.

Contact KBD Attorneys today to schedule your consultation and protect your rights.

Final Thoughts

As cities continue to embrace micromobility, studies like this one remind us that safety must evolve alongside convenience. Stand-up e-scooters may offer a quick and modern way to commute, but they carry real risks—especially when combined with alcohol and the absence of helmets.

We urge all riders to prioritize safety and follow local laws. And if injury does occur, know that KBD Attorneys is here to help.

Sources:

• Seitakari, L., Pakarinen, O., Harjola, V.-P., Castrén, M., & Vasara, H. (2025). Comparing the characteristics of electric scooter and bicycle injuries: a retrospective cohort study. Scientific Reports. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-12627-x

• News Medical. (2025). E-scooter riders are three times more likely than cyclists to end up in hospital, study shows. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250730/E-scooter-riders-are-three-times-more-likely-than-cyclists-to-end-up-in-hospital-study-shows.aspx