STN records 446 e-bike and e-scooter related injuries during an 8-week surveillance period.
During a surveillance project in summer 2026, clinicians across Scotland recorded e-bike and e-scooter related presentations to Emergency Departments (EDs) and Minor Injury Units (MIUs). During an eight-week period in June and July, a total of 446 presentations were recorded, highlighting a significant healthcare burden. If activity levels remained similar throughout the year, around 2,900 people could present to ED units annually with injuries related to e-bikes and e-scooters.
The survey was established in response to a perceived increase e-bike and e-scooter related injuries which current healthcare recording systems cannot reliably quantify, making it difficult to understand the scale of the issue. Data recorded included patient demographics, journey circumstances, the number of emergency department attendances, inter-hospital transfers, speciality inpatient admissions and outpatient follow-up appointments.
Among the key findings:
- 446 injuries were recorded across 11 NHS territorial health boards during the eight-week survey period.
- 57.6% of injuries involved e-scooters, while 42.4% involved e-bikes.
- More than one-third (36.1%) of all patients presenting were children aged 10-14 years.
- Almost two-thirds of e-scooter injuries involved children and young people aged under 16 years.
- Children under 14 years old accounted for 13.5% of all e-bike-related presentations.
- More than three-quarters (76.9%) of injured riders reported wearing no personal protective equipment.
- 16.4% of patients required hospital admission, either at presenting hospital or following inter-hospital transfer.
- Of all reported presentations, 2.9% of cases were admitted to critical care.
- Orthopaedic surgery accounted for 37% of all admissions.
The most common injuries involved the upper limbs, lower limbs and head, with many requiring specialist treatment and follow-up care.
Dr Stephen Bridgman, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Public Health Scotland, and prevention lead for the Scottish Trauma Network said: “E-bikes are a healthier and more environmentally friendly way to travel than cars, if ridden responsibly on bikes that are road legal.
“This study highlights that children and young people are particularly at risk of injuries from e-bikes and e-scooters. Many of these injuries could be prevented by wearing a helmet and appropriate protective equipment, riding within your ability, and complying with the law. E-bikes should be verified as road legal and should not be ridden by young people under 14.
“Our findings highlight the importance of understanding these vehicles’ safety risks and legal requirements, which are designed to ensure safety of riders and bystanders alike. Before purchasing an e-bike or e-scooter, you should take time to research how the vehicle can be used safely and legally, including what protective equipment is recommended and where their use is permitted.”
Electric pedestrian powered transport, especially e-bikes, are viewed as both convenient and eco-friendly. However, their hybrid nature presents difficulties in where they can be ridden safely. The findings show that injuries associated with these vehicles place demand on a range of NHS Scotland services, including emergency care, the Scottish Ambulance Service, outpatient services, inpatient wards, operating theatres and critical care.
Martin Esposito, Consultant Paramedic for Major Trauma with the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We welcome this survey and its findings, as our crews see first-hand the consequences of e-bike and e-scooter incidents.
“Injuries can be serious, requiring ambulance treatment and specialist care, and can sometimes be life-changing. We encourage riders, parents and carers to understand the risks and take appropriate precautions before using these vehicles.”
The survey also found that 95.3% of e-scooter injuries occurred when the vehicle was being ridden illegally, as private e-scooters currently cannot be ridden legally on public roads, pavements or cycle paths and are only permitted on private land with the landowner’s permission.
The STN is calling for improved surveillance of e-bike and e-scooter injuries, including the development of specific international clinical coding to support routine monitoring of these incidents and enable better understanding of long-term trends.
In addition, the report recommends strengthened road safety messaging, updated education programmes for school-aged children, and greater promotion of helmet use and other protective equipment.