Suggested Actions
- Inform children and parents of the risks of riding E-Scooters. Explain the dangers of riding any PTW when underage or without a licence, and without proper training.
- Ban E-Scooters. Require any powered vehicle, wherever used, in public or on private land, to meet Highway Code stopping distances (0.7g) Include hoverboards, ball boards, unicycles etc.
- Encourage the use of E-Cycles for 14 years and above.
- Make ABS (anti-lock) brakes mandatory for all A1 (125cc) motorcycles
- Require riders to retake a CBT when upgrading from a moped to a 125c A1 motorbike.
The Problems
- 40%, probably more, young motorcycle rider fatalities up to 18 years were riding illegally without any training.
- 50% of KSIs up to 18 years were underage for the motorcycle they were riding.
This seems to be a well kept secret. You can confirm this if you use the government’s freely available accident database. We don’t know how many of the others didn’t have a licence. They probably received no training. Maybe another 10% or more? More than half the problem?
In 2022 there was only a single 16 year old rider fatality who was riding legally – (Probably).
Young rider Fatalities 2022 in detail
YOUNG RIDER FATALITIES 2014-2023
Over the past 10 years, we have seen an average of 1 death/year of a rider below 16 years. But the situation appears to be worsening.
There are an average of 3 deaths/year for riders aged 16. They were probably mostly riding illegally.
There are also 7 deaths/year for riders each year from 17 up to 20 years old, nearly 300 in total. There is no information available as to how many did not have a proper licence.
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| < 16 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 16 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
| 17-20 | 33 | 38 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 24 | 18 | 29 | 36 | 35 |
50cc A1 mopeds aren’t the major issue, but 125 cc A1 motorbikes are. They don’t need to have anti-lock brakes that larger capacity bikes now have to – which makes no sense.
Young riders are mainly a risk to themselves. They are simply demonized by The Press as ‘anti-social’. This view is taken rather than seeing them as children at serious risk.
Young Rider KSI’s 2018 and 2022
Many young riders at 17 move from a 50cc 28 mph twist and go, to a geared 125cc motorbike. They can now easily ride at 60 mph with no extra training. Out they go onto A roads and the countryside at considerable personal risk. KSI’s now more than double.
The number of KSIs of underage riders, 16 and younger, is nearly static. In contrast, overall KSIs for this age group has declined by 25% over the last 4 years. But the underage problem appears to be unaffected.
E-Scooters
In 2022, 440 E-Scooter riders were seriously injured. The highest frequency was in the 10-19 years age group. Estimates suggest that about 150 young riders sustained serious injuries. These account for approximately one-third of all injuries. (Government E-Scooter Fact Sheet).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-evaluation-of-e-scooter-trials-report
NEW Hazard Shift?
E-Scooters look to have increased 16 years and younger young rider fatalities by >50%, and KSI’s by 400%.
E-Scooters apparently look set to be legalised.
The average E-Scooter rider age is 16 years, youngest 11 years or less.
There are probably now 1.5 million E-Scooters in the UK.
To date, 50 E-Scooter riders and 1 pedestrian have been killed. An unknown number, but probably at least 500/year seriously injured.
TRL research confirmed the poor braking on E-Scooters. The kerb height they can negotiate has had to be reduced. It has been lowered from the standard 10 cm to 3 cm. This puts riders at risk. And that they are unstable, generally poorly maintained needing constant brake adjustment, had steering faults and underinflated tyres.
For local Government rentals, the Dft doubled the braking distance standard for E-scooters. When all other vehicles would have stopped from 15 mph, an E-Scooter would still be doing 11 mph. Speed related fatalities start at 9 mph.
Link to E-Scooter Standards
You can buy an E-Scooter capable of close to 50 mph. Others are easy to tamper with to de-restrict. >40 mph is possible.
The obvious alternatives are E-Cycles. They are legal at 14 years and can stop to Highway Code standards. E-Cycles can also negotiate standard kerbs and use less energy. You have to pedal, which also helps fitness.
Mike Abbott, British Superbike School
Updated 24.7.25
British Superbike School 