Over the last two years, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has dealt with 126 consecutive Paediatric Emergency Department attendances which were e-scooter or e-bike related with the youngest patients under five years old.
The information released to Ni4kids from the Belfast Trust indicates that stricter laws may need to be introduced to prevent further injuries by e-scooters or e-bikes.
A Belfast Health and Social Care Trust spokesperson commented: “Between June 2024-June 2026, 126 consecutive Paediatric Emergency Department attendances were e-scooter or e-bike related. The youngest patients were under five years old.”
Hospitals across the UK are witnessing more and more children with injuries from e-scooters. And while three trauma centres in Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield say they have treated patients as young as nine for e-scooter-related injuries, Belfast has the youngest patients under the age of five being treated.
It has also been recorded that hardly any of the patients were wearing helmets when asked about their injuries.
At present, there are no legal age limits, speed restrictions or mandatory safety equipment requirements for privately owned e-scooters in the UK, with an estimated 1.2 million people owning one.
Police Service of Northern Ireland states: “E-scooters, scramblers, go-peds, buzz boards, quads and mini-motos do not generally comply with construction and use legislation and vehicle standards so are therefore, restricted to off- road use only.”
If used on the road the rider would require the following:
- A driving licence from age 16 (minimum Category AM).
- At least third party insurance for road use.
- Have the vehicle registered with the DVLNI and display a number plate.
- Have a Vehicle Excise Licence when used on the road.
- Have obligatory lamps, reflectors and rear markings fitted.
- Fulfil all requirements in accordance with the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1999.
- A protective helmet in some cases (although the wearing of a helmet in all situations is recommended for personal safety).
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