E-scooters have quickly become a familiar sight on UK streets. From busy city centres to quieter suburbs, their popularity has soared – but so have safety concerns. While they offer a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional transport, the rise in electric scooter use has sparked questions about how safe e-scooters really are in the UK.
In response, the government launched a series of controlled trials across the country to test the viability of rental e-scooters. But how well are these trials protecting the public? In this article, we’ll explore e-scooter safety in the UK, from trial stats and injury risks to what you can do if you’ve been hurt in an e-scooter accident.
What are e-scooter trials?
E-scooters may be compact and easy to hop on, but they come with some serious safety risks. Riders have limited protection, struggle with uneven road surfaces, and are hard for drivers to spot. Their speed and balance demands also make accidents more likely, especially in busy areas or poor weather.
To better understand their impact, the UK government launched e-scooter trials in select cities. These trials are designed to test whether hired scooters can be safely integrated into public transport networks. They’ve been running since 2020 in places like London, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, and Newcastle.
It’s important to note the legal difference: rental e-scooters used in trial areas are legal to ride on roads (with some rules), but privately owned e-scooters remain illegal on public roads and pavements.
The idea is to gather safety data and assess whether wider legalisation makes sense. Yet, questions remain about how well the public is being protected in the process.
Safety concerns and reported accidents
E-scooters may be small, but the impact of an accident can be anything but. As their use grows, so too do concerns about injury risks — and the numbers back that up.
In the year ending June 2022, there were 1,349 reported collisions involving e-scooters, leading to 1,437 casualties. Of those, 12 people lost their lives — 11 were riders, and one was a pedestrian. A further 429 people were seriously injured, and nearly 1,000 sustained minor injuries.
243 pedestrians were also injured in e-scooter-related incidents, often due to riders losing control, swerving to avoid obstacles, or using pavements illegally. Most riders don’t wear helmets and currently, they’re not legally required to. Add poor road surfaces, limited experience, and unfamiliar rental models, and the risks multiply quickly.
These figures show why safety must come first. Whether you’re riding, walking, or just crossing the street, the dangers of electric scooters are real — and the law is still catching up.
Who is liable in an e-scooter accident?
If you’re injured in an e-scooter accident, one of the first questions you might ask is: who’s responsible? The answer isn’t always simple.
In government-backed trials, rental e-scooters are covered by insurance, and providers have a duty to maintain their fleet. If a fault in the scooter, like brake failure, caused the incident, the rental company could be held liable.
But not all accidents are straightforward. You may be hit by a car while riding legally, trip over a poorly parked scooter, or be struck as a pedestrian. In these cases, liability might rest with a third-party driver, the local council (if poor road conditions were a factor), or the scooter user themselves.
Because e-scooter laws are still evolving, making a claim can be more complex than with traditional road traffic accidents — especially if a privately owned e-scooter was involved, which are illegal to ride on public roads.
That’s where expert legal advice makes a real difference. You don’t have to untangle it all
alone.
Can you claim if you’ve been injured?
If you’ve been hurt in an e-scooter accident, whether as a rider, pedestrian or another road user, you might be entitled to compensation. But what qualifies as a claim?
You could have a case if:
- You were hit by a rental e-scooter being ridden dangerously.
- You were a rider injured due to faulty equipment or poor road conditions.
- You tripped over a scooter that was left in an unsafe place.
As with any personal injury e-scooter accident, evidence matters. Take photos of the scene, record the scooter’s details, speak to witnesses, and keep medical records. If the scooter was rented, noting the provider is important too.
Time limits apply (usually within three years of the incident) so it’s worth speaking to a legal expert sooner rather than later.
Not sure where you stand? We’re here to help.
The future of e-scooter trials and public safety
Government e-scooter trials in the UK were originally due to end in 2021, but many have been extended into 2026. These trials are shaping future transport policy — and it’s likely that legalised rental e-scooters will become a permanent part of our roads. But to make that work, safety must come first. That means:
- Better infrastructure for riders and pedestrians
- Clearer rules for all road users
- Robust legal protections if something goes wrong
While e-scooters can offer a green, efficient travel option, the law is still catching up and people are still getting hurt. That’s where we come in.
At Injury Lawyers 4u, we understand the complexities of personal injury e-scooter claims, especially when the rules aren’t always clear. Our experienced team will guide you through the process, on a no win, no fee basis.
Ready to talk? Our friendly team is here to help. And if you’re wondering what your claim might be worth, try our free compensation calculator to get a rough idea.