A new UK study has found that e-scooter riders are significantly more likely to suffer traumatic brain and internal organ injuries than motorcyclists and cyclists, prompting fresh calls for mandatory helmet laws and stronger safety measures in New Zealand.
The research, published in Scientific Reports, analysed data from 15,247 patients who suffered moderate-to-severe traumatic injuries across 18 cities in England and Wales between 2020 and 2022. The study included 580 e-scooter riders, 7027 motorcyclists and 7640 pedal cyclists.
Researchers found that, compared with motorcyclists, e-scooter riders were 3.5 times more likely to sustain a traumatic brain injury. They were also 1.5 times more likely to suffer injuries to internal organs and 3.2 times more likely to sustain artery or vein injuries, 1News has reported.
When compared with pedal cyclists, e-scooter users were still found to face higher risks. They were 1.7 times more likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries, 1.4 times more likely to sustain internal organ injuries and 1.7 times more likely to experience artery or vein injuries, as reported by 1News.
The study also revealed low helmet use among e-scooter riders, with helmets documented in only 5.9% of cases. In comparison, 75.7% of motorcyclists and 45% of pedal cyclists were wearing helmets.
Researchers suggested the findings could be linked to limited helmet use, the design of e-scooters, urban infrastructure and rider behaviour.
Female riders were also found to face a higher risk of severe injuries.
"The authors propose that this could be due to most e-scooters being designed for male body proportions and previously reported findings that female riders are more likely to ride on footpaths and unpaved surfaces," 1News has quoted.
The findings come as e-scooter-related injuries continue to place pressure on New Zealand's health system. During the first six months of 2026, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) received 2761 new claims related to e-scooter injuries. There were also 3295 active claims, with total costs reaching $9.2 million.
Jonno Leonard, owner of Auckland's Electric Scooter Company, said many riders still failed to take safety seriously.
"There's definitely no social narrative that you should be taking care on these devices," Leonard said, as quoted by 1News.
Brain Injury New Zealand vice-president and AUT neuroscience professor Dr Kelly Jones warned that head injuries caused by e-scooter crashes can have devastating consequences.
"Let's say someone's travelling along on an e-scooter, there’s going to be speed involved," Jones said, 1News has quoted.
"The body stops suddenly. However, the brain inside the skull continues travelling, and that will actually slam into the skull. Just like any other injury to the body, that can involve bleeding, bruising, swelling."
Helmets and other protective gear remain optional for e-scooter riders in New Zealand, despite repeated calls from safety advocates for stricter regulations.
"The fact that you can ride a scooter without a helmet legally is just bonkers in my opinion," Leonard said, 1News has quoted.
Both Leonard and Jones have backed mandatory helmet laws.
"I would certainly support recent calls for compulsory helmet use. We have compulsory helmet use for other high-risk activities, this should be no different," Jones said.
She added, "A helmet will not completely prevent a traumatic brain injury, but what it might do is minimise the extent of the injury and the impact," as quoted by 1News.
The renewed calls come after a July Coroner's report into the 2019 death of 24-year-old Toben Hunt, who suffered a fatal head injury after falling from an e-scooter. The report reiterated recommendations for compulsory helmet use.
Leonard and Jones also urged greater investment in rider education and safer infrastructure. Internationally, Australia is developing national regulations covering e-scooter and e-bike safety, while New York City has introduced tougher enforcement against illegal high-speed e-bikes and e-scooters.
In New Zealand, the Government has confirmed that e-scooters will be permitted to use cycle lanes by the end of 2026.
Asked whether he supported making helmets mandatory, Transport Minister Chris Bishop said, "Any further changes to e-scooter rules could be considered through the Government’s Land Transport Rules Reform Programme. The Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport is developing future tranches of the programme, informed by industry and public feedback," 1News has quoted.
While stopping short of supporting compulsory helmets, Bishop encouraged riders to take precautions.
"People need to remember that, like any vehicle, e-scooters can be dangerous if used recklessly," he said, as quoted by 1News.