Trauma analysis finds brain injuries more common among e-scooter riders than motorcyclists

A recent study published in Scientific Reports has found that adult e-scooter riders in England and Wales have a higher risk of brain and internal organ injuries compared to motorcyclists and cyclists. Researchers analyzed data from 15,247 patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic injuries between 2020 and 2022 in 18 cities across the two countries.

E-scooter riders were 3.5 times more likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury, 1.5 times more at risk of internal organ injuries, and 3.2 times more susceptible to arterial or venous injuries than motorcyclists. These risks were also 1.7, 1.4, and 1.7 times higher, respectively, compared to pedal cyclists. However, fracture risk was 20.0% lower for adult e-scooter riders than motorcyclists and 10.0% lower than pedal cyclists.

Helmet usage was limited among e-scooter riders, with only 5.9% wearing helmets, compared to 75.7% of motorcyclists and 45.0% of pedal cyclists. The study also revealed that female e-scooter riders were more likely to report severe injuries, despite being involved in fewer collisions. This discrepancy could be attributed to e-scooter designs not accounting for female body proportions and e-scooters being more frequently used on sidewalks and uneven surfaces by female riders.

The authors propose that helmet use, e-scooter design, urban infrastructure, and rider behavior all contribute to the increased injury risk among e-scooter riders. They recommend further research to explore these factors and evaluate the impact of potential safety interventions.