A new review suggests that some UK hospitals are seeing a growing number of children with e-scooter injuries, because apparently the "Wild West" now has training wheels. Three trauma centres - in Liverpool, Manchester, and Sheffield - have treated 477 under-16s, with cases rising from fewer than 10 in 2019 to nearly 150 in 2024. The average age of the injured was 12, with the youngest just 9. Hardly any were wearing helmets, because why protect the one brain you'll ever have?

The emergency department doctors are calling for laws to better protect children, noting that there is currently no legal age restriction, speed limit, or safety equipment requirement for the estimated 1.2 million private e-scooter owners in the UK. Some e-scooters have a "turbo mode" that lets them hit around 28mph - perfect for turning a joyride into a trip to the ICU.

Recently, a UK teenager using one of these crashed and killed his 14-year-old friend on a busy road - one of 59 e-scooter-related deaths in the UK to date. Jacob Calland, a passenger on the back, suffered irreversible brain injuries when struck by a BMW in Wythenshawe, Manchester, on 19 March 2025. The teen driver also sustained serious injuries, including a bleed on the brain and numerous fractures. Det Con Steve Pennington from Greater Manchester Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit stressed that e-scooters are not harmless toys and can lead to "horrific consequences" when used by inexperienced riders. You don't say.

Most incidents in these cities involved private e-scooters on public roads, pavements, or footpaths - despite it being illegal. Private e-scooters are only meant for use on private land with the owner's permission, but who needs laws when you have turbo mode? Half of the injured children were aged 10 to 13, and nearly two-thirds were boys. Most injuries were from falling off the scooter, with only 5% being pedestrians hit by one. Around 11% were collisions with vehicles, often linked to more serious injuries. Arms and legs took the brunt, followed by head and facial injuries.

The doctors say tougher laws are urgently needed. Helmet use isn't mandatory in the UK, unlike some other countries. The researchers told the Emergency Medicine Journal that schools, councils, youth groups, and road safety campaigns all have roles to play - but also that retailers should clearly advise customers of the law, and policymakers should regulate private e-scooters, such as with speed limiters or mandatory helmets. Because apparently, common sense needs legislation.

To legally rent an e-scooter in the UK, you must be at least 16, hold a full or provisional driving licence, and the rental company must provide insurance. Rental scooters are capped at around 15mph. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "These are concerning findings... It is illegal for private e-scooters to be used on roads, pavements, or in other public spaces, including by under 16s, and we're bringing forward new laws to make their use safe and legal, including consulting on requirements like helmets." So, they're consulting. On helmets. While kids are flying off scooters at 28mph. Sounds about right.