Research shows alomost one in four e-scooter users have been involved in a collision

Research from the Road Safety Authority shows 24 per cent of e-scooter users have been involved in a collision.

32 per cent have been involved in a near miss, with all reported collisions involving men.

Five per cent of adults have used e-scooters in the last year, with 75 per cent under the age of 35.

65 per cent of users live in Dublin, with 97 per cent residing in urban areas.

13 per cent said they carry a child passenger, while 8 per cent said they carry an adult passenger.

36 per cent of respondents indicate they believe the speed limit is ‘too high’, compared to 30 per cent of regular e-scooter users.

60 per cent indicate they wear a helmet, while 66 per cent said they wear reflective gear when using an e-scooter.

Dr John Cronin, Emergency Medicine Consultant at St Vincent’s Hospital and board member of the Road Safety Authority, said the research aligns with injuries being treated in emergency departments.

“E-scooters have quickly become a popular mode of transport, particularly in our cities — but with that popularity comes vulnerability. As an emergency medicine consultant, I’ve seen just how frequent and serious the injuries can be when things go wrong - from broken bones to serious head trauma.

"E-scooter users have very little protection and very little room for error, especially when mixing with larger, faster vehicles. Everyone on the road — whether walking, cycling, driving, or using an e-scooter — has a role to play in keeping each other safe.

"By staying alert and respectful, we can prevent lives from being tragically lost or forever altered by serious injury.”