The independent Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) has urged the UK government to tackle illegal e-scooter use as it warns of a rising number of deaths among riders.

A total of 15 people have now died from using e-scooters in the UK – up from 11 in 2021 and all involving illegal use of private e-scooters

In a report published today, it reveals that 15 people have now died from using e-scooters – up from 11 in 2021 and all involving illegal use of private e-scooters.

While regulations enabling trials of rental e-scooters came into effect in July 2020, the overwhelming growth in usage has been in private e-scooters. More than one million of these have been imported to the UK since 2019 and while they can legally be sold, they are illegal to use on public roads and in public spaces.

Although the rental trials were intended to provide evidence for new legislation, no information has been published and PACTS has said that the Government seems undecided on the next steps.

But it warns that any regulations to legalise e-scooters will take at least a year to have any effect and it’s now urging the Department for Transport to undertake a thorough public consultation before making any decision.

PACTS has also called on the DfT to publish the information on the trials, and undertake further research, while also taking action against irresponsible retailers and to support the police.

David Davies, PACTS executive director, said: “E-scooters are a controversial issue and risks to riders and pedestrians are increasingly apparent. The Government should act now to curb dangerous and illegal use. Even if the Government decides on the way forward soon, legislation will not take effect until sometime next year. They should take this opportunity to gather evidence and consult widely – something which should have happened before the rental trials started but was curtailed by the pandemic.”

The PACTS data lays bare the dangers of e-scooter use. Records from the police, insurers and media for casualties involving e-scooters show almost 900 casualties in 2021, with 20% involving injuries to pedestrians and cyclists. And 38% of people injured in such collisions suffered serious injuries – mostly the rider. Of these, 68% suffered head injuries or fractures.

The figures show that the casualty numbers appear high in relation to the distance travelled.

The report, funded by The Road Safety Trust, also refers to results of academic studies that show instabilities caused by an e-scooter’s design poses a risk to riders, and adds that in vital respects e-scooters are different from bicycles and should be assessed and regulated based on their own attributes.

In other European countries, legislation is evolving, increasing regulations on e-scooter use, including speed limits and helmets.

To read the full PACTS report on ‘The safety of private e-scooters in the UK’, click here.