The electric scooter revolution has transformed urban mobility, with over 158 U.S. cities now operating e-scooter systems as of 2022. However, as these convenient micro-mobility devices become increasingly popular, safety concerns have emerged alongside their rapid adoption. Understanding the current state of e-scooter safety in 2025 requires examining comprehensive data, evolving regulations, and the ongoing challenges that riders face daily.

“Our findings stress a concerning trend: helmet usage is noticeably lower among electric vehicle riders compared to conventional bicyclists and scooter riders.”

– UC San Francisco research study

Key Takeaways

• Injury rates are climbing: E-scooter, e-bike, and hoverboard injuries have increased by 70% over the past four years
• Helmet usage remains low: Studies show significantly lower helmet adoption among e-scooter riders compared to traditional bicyclists
• Age demographics vary: The median age for injured e-scooter riders is 30, with diverse user groups including women and minorities
• Regulatory improvements: Many states have implemented or strengthened helmet requirements, particularly for riders under 18
• Technology advances: Modern e-scooters feature better braking systems, lighting, and stability controls compared to earlier models

Top 4 E-Scooter Safety Products on Amazon

Zacro Adult Bike Helmet

If you’re prioritizing E-scooter safety in 2025, investing in a high-quality helmet is essential—and the Zacro Adult Bike Helmet fits the bill perfectly. With electric scooter usage surging in urban and suburban areas, protective gear that combines durability, ventilation, and comfort is a must. Zacro’s helmet is designed for everyday riders, featuring CE and CPSC certification, a solid polycarbonate shell, and impact-absorbing EPS foam to protect against head injuries. The lightweight build and 19 vents prevent overheating on summer rides, while the adjustable fit ensures it stays snug at any speed.

Zacro LED Reflective Vest

Perfect for electric scooter enthusiasts who ride at dawn, dusk, or night, the Zacro vest is not only USB-rechargeable and lightweight, but also fully adjustable, making it ideal for adults and older children. Whether you’re navigating a busy city street or a dim suburban path, this vest ensures that drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians can see you from hundreds of feet away.

JBM Adult & Kids Protective Gear Set

Designed for users aged 12 and up, this all-in-one set is made with impact-resistant plastic shells and soft EVA foam padding, absorbing shocks and reducing abrasions during falls. It’s a must-have for anyone riding on uneven terrain, in busy streets, or at higher speeds. Unlike basic helmets alone, this kit covers your knees, elbows, and wrists, which are some of the most injury-prone areas in scooter accidents.

FLDYYG Electric LED Scooter Lights

These waterproof, low-voltage LED strips offer 360° visibility with vibrant colors and long-lasting illumination. Ideal for kids, teens, and adults, the lights attach easily to the frame of your scooter or bicycle and stay cool to the touch, making them safe for hands-on adjustments. Not only do they improve your visibility to drivers and other pedestrians, but they also bring style and personality to your ride.

The Current Safety Landscape

The data paints a complex picture of e-scooter safety in 2025. Injuries related to using e-scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards have increased by 70% over the past four years, indicating that while these devices offer convenient transportation, they also present significant safety challenges.

A study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found approximately 209,600 emergency room visits by escooter riders between 2017 and 2023, highlighting the scope of the safety issue. These numbers represent real people whose lives have been affected by e-scooter incidents, underscoring the importance of understanding and addressing safety concerns.

Who’s Getting Injured and Why

The demographics of e-scooter injuries reveal interesting patterns. The median age for e-scooter riders involved in accidents was 30 compared to 11 for conventional scooter riders, suggesting that adults are the primary users of electric scooters. This age difference also indicates that e-scooters attract users who might not otherwise use traditional scooters.

Injured e-scooter users were more diverse, including a higher proportion of women and minorities, and tended to be younger than bicyclists and e-bike users. This diversity in the user base presents both opportunities and challenges for safety education and equipment design.

The Helmet Problem

One of the most concerning trends in e-scooter safety is the low rate of helmet usage. Studies show that helmet usage is noticeably lower among electric vehicle riders compared to conventional bicyclists and scooter riders. This disparity in safety equipment usage contributes significantly to the severity of injuries when accidents occur.

The convenience factor of shared e-scooters plays a role in this problem. Unlike personal bikes, where riders can store their helmets at home, shared e-scooters require users to carry protective equipment with them or forgo it entirely. This practical challenge has led to various policy responses and technological solutions.

Regulatory Evolution and Enforcement

The regulatory landscape for e-scooters has evolved significantly since their introduction. Many states now require helmets for riders under 18, recognizing the particular vulnerability of younger users. However, enforcement remains inconsistent across different jurisdictions.

Some states require a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit for e-scooter riders, treating these devices more seriously than traditional kick scooters. This regulatory approach acknowledges the higher speeds and greater risks associated with electric scooters.

Collision Patterns and Risk Factors

Understanding how e-scooter accidents occur provides valuable insights for improving safety. E-bike injuries were more likely to involve a motor vehicle (33%) than bicycle (26%) and e-scooter injuries (23%), suggesting that while e-scooters do interact with motor vehicles, the rate is slightly lower than other cycling modes.

Collisions with cars travelling at 40 km/h can cause severe to fatal head injuries to e-scooter riders, emphasizing the critical importance of protective equipment and safe riding practices. The study also found that inexperienced drivers often ride at maximum speeds despite being unsafe on the road, highlighting the need for better education and training.

The Speed Factor

Speed regulation has emerged as a crucial safety consideration. Most jurisdictions now impose maximum speeds of 15 mph for e-scooters, balancing mobility benefits with safety concerns. This speed limit reflects research showing that higher speeds dramatically increase injury severity in accidents.

The challenge lies in enforcement and rider behavior. Many e-scooters are capable of exceeding legal speed limits, and inexperienced riders may not understand the risks associated with higher speeds. This disconnect between capability and safe operation continues to contribute to accident rates.

Infrastructure and Environmental Factors

E-scooter safety doesn’t exist in a vacuum, it’s heavily influenced by urban infrastructure and environmental conditions. Sidewalk riding is prohibited in most jurisdictions, forcing e-scooter users to share road space with cars and cyclists. This policy decision, while protecting pedestrians, increases the risk of vehicle-scooter collisions.

The lack of dedicated e-scooter infrastructure in many cities compounds these challenges. Without proper lanes or parking areas, riders must navigate complex traffic situations while competing for space with other road users. Weather conditions, road surface quality, and visibility also play crucial roles in accident prevention.

Technology’s Role in Safety Improvements

Modern e-scooters incorporate numerous safety improvements compared to earlier models. Better braking systems, improved lighting, and more stable designs have made current generation e-scooters safer than their predecessors. However, these technological advances haven’t eliminated the fundamental challenges of sharing urban space with other vehicles and pedestrians.

Some manufacturers have introduced features like speed limiting based on location, automatic headlights, and improved stability control. These innovations represent positive steps toward safer e-scooter design, though their real-world impact on accident rates requires further study.

Looking Forward: Challenges and Opportunities

The future of e-scooter safety depends on addressing multiple interconnected challenges. Education remains crucial—many riders lack proper training or understanding of safe operating practices. Unlike cars, which require licensing and testing, e-scooters can be operated immediately by anyone who can access them.

Infrastructure development presents another opportunity for improvement. Cities that invest in dedicated micro-mobility lanes and proper parking facilities tend to see better safety outcomes. However, such infrastructure requires significant investment and political will.

The Path to Safer Riding

Creating a safer e-scooter environment requires action from multiple stakeholders. Manufacturers must continue improving safety features and design. Policymakers need to develop coherent regulations that balance mobility benefits with safety concerns. Cities must invest in appropriate infrastructure to support safe e-scooter use.

Individual riders also play a crucial role in improving safety outcomes. Wearing appropriate protective equipment, following traffic laws, and understanding the capabilities and limitations of e-scooters all contribute to safer riding experiences. The convenience of e-scooters should never come at the expense of personal safety.

Building a Safety-First Culture

The ultimate goal is creating a culture where e-scooter safety is prioritized without sacrificing the mobility benefits these devices provide. This requires changing attitudes about protective equipment, improving rider education, and developing systems that make safe choices the easy choices.

Success in e-scooter safety won’t be measured solely by reduced accident rates—though that’s certainly important. It will also be measured by increased confidence in these transportation options, broader adoption across diverse communities, and the successful integration of e-scooters into comprehensive urban mobility systems.

Conclusion

E-scooter safety in 2025 represents a complex challenge requiring coordinated responses from manufacturers, policymakers, cities, and riders themselves. While injury rates have increased alongside adoption, this trend isn’t inevitable. Through improved technology, better infrastructure, stronger regulations, and enhanced education, the safety profile of e-scooters can be significantly improved.

The data shows both the challenges and opportunities ahead. With millions of e-scooter trips taken annually, even small improvements in safety rates can prevent thousands of injuries. The key is maintaining focus on safety improvements while preserving the mobility benefits that make e-scooters attractive to users.

As cities continue to evolve their transportation systems, e-scooters will likely play an increasingly important role. Ensuring that role is played safely requires ongoing commitment from all stakeholders and recognition that convenience and safety aren’t mutually exclusive goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are e-scooters becoming safer in 2025 compared to previous years?

A: While e-scooter technology has improved with better braking systems and lighting, overall injury rates have increased by 70% over the past four years. This increase is largely due to higher usage rates rather than decreased safety per trip.

Q: Do I need to wear a helmet when riding an e-scooter?

A: Helmet requirements vary by state and age. Most states require helmets for riders under 18, while some jurisdictions have universal helmet requirements. Regardless of legal requirements, helmets significantly reduce the risk of head injuries.

Q: What’s the safest speed to ride an e-scooter?

A: Most jurisdictions limit e-scooter speeds to 15 mph, which balances mobility with safety. However, the safest speed depends on conditions—slower speeds are appropriate in crowded areas, poor weather, or when visibility is limited.

Q: Are shared e-scooters safer than privately owned ones?

A: Both have advantages and disadvantages. Shared e-scooters are typically newer and better maintained, but users may be less familiar with the specific device. Private e-scooters allow for consistent maintenance and familiarity but may not receive regular safety updates.

Q: What should I do if I’m involved in an e-scooter accident?

A: First, seek medical attention if injured. Document the scene with photos, gather witness information, and report the incident to local authorities if required. If using a shared e-scooter, also report the incident to the company. Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney for serious accidents.