E-bike and E-scooter Injury Claims

Riders must be at least 14 years old. When these conditions are met, the e-bike is treated as a normal bicycle. No licence, insurance, registration or tax is required. If an e-bike exceeds these limits, even unintentionally, it stops being an EAPC and becomes a motor vehicle. That means compulsory insurance, licencing and compliance with construction and use regulations. Many riders are unaware of this distinction and it often becomes a central issue when an accident occurs.

E-scooters sit in a very different category. Privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, pavements and cycle paths. They are classed as motor vehicles but because they cannot meet the requirements for insurance, registration or MOT testing, their use in public areas is prohibited. Riders can face fines, penalty points and even seizure of their scooter. The only e-scooters legally permitted on public roads are those hired through authorised rental schemes, operating in specific trial areas. These come with built in insurance and riders must hold a valid driving licence.

This distinction, lawful e-bike, non-compliant e-bike, private e-scooter or rental e-scooter is often the starting point for determining how an injury claim will proceed.

How do Accidents Involving e-bikes & e-scooters Typically Happen?

Accidents involving these vehicles arise in a variety of ways and understanding the cause is key to identifying who may be responsible. Some incidents involve the rider alone. A pothole, uneven surface or slippery road can cause a sudden loss of control and in these cases, liability may rest with the local authority if the road was not properly maintained.

Collisions with pedestrians, cyclists or motor vehicles are also common. These often require careful investigation: who had priority, were traffic signals obeyed, was the rider travelling at a safe speed and did the other party take reasonable care?

There are also cases where the vehicle itself is at fault. Defective brakes, faulty throttles, electrical failures and unsafe batteries can all lead to serious injuries. Lithium-ion battery fires, in particular, have become a growing concern. When a defect is involved, responsibility may lie with the manufacturer, importer or retailer.

Underage use can also play a role. E-bike riders must be at least 14 and rental e-scooter schemes typically require riders to be aged 16 or older with a driving licence. If a child or ineligible rider is involved in an accident, the legal and insurance implications can be significant.

Each scenario requires a different approach and the facts of the accident will determine who may be accountable.

What Happens After Someone is Injured?

The next steps depend heavily on the type of vehicle being used and whether it was being used legally.

If the incident involved a lawful EAPC, the claim is usually treated in the same way as a cycling accident. The at fault party’s insurer may be responsible for compensation or the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) may step in if the rider was uninsured or couldn’t be identified.

If the e-bike was not a lawful EAPC, for example its motor was too powerful, the rider may be treated as an uninsured motorist which can complicate matters but claims may still be possible.

For private e-scooters, insurers do not cover their use on public roads. If a rider injures someone, they are personally liable.

Rental e-scooters are different. Insurance is included as part of the hire but only if the rider was using the scooter legally and within the scheme’s rules. If the rider was found to be outside of the trial area, underage or using someone else’s account, insurance may not apply.

In all cases, the circumstances of the accident, the legal status of the vehicle and the behaviour of the rider will shape the route to compensation.

How Can a Law Firm Help Someone Injured in These Situations?

This is where specialist legal support becomes invaluable. These cases often involve technical questions that most people would not know to ask, such as:

Was the e-bike a lawful EAPC or unregistered motor vehicle?

Was the e-scooter part of an authorised rental scheme?

Did the rider meet the eligibility requirements?

Was the accident caused by a road defect, rider behaviour or a product fault?

Does the claim fall under standard personal injury rules or motor vehicle regulations?

Should the claim be directed to an insurer, the MIB, a local authority or a manufacturer?

Our law firm is very experienced in such cases. We understand how to investigate the circumstances, gather evidence, identify the correct defendant and ensure that the injured person receives the compensation that they are entitled to. This may include damages for pain and suffering, lost earnings, medical treatment, rehabilitation and long-term care. These claims can be complex but with the right guidance, they can be navigated successfully. Our aim is to not only handle the legal process itself but to provide clarity, reassurance and support at a time when clients need it most.

E-scooter Injury Statistics For Great Britain 2024

The latest Department for Transport (DfT) figures indicate that collisions involving e-scooters continued at a broadly similar level to the previous year, with a slight increase in both incidents and casualties. In 2024, there were 1,312 personal injury collisions compared with 1,292 in 2023.

Casualty Numbers: A total of 1,390 casualties resulted from collisions with e-scooters, a rise from 1,387 in 2023.  1,096 of these casualties were the e-scooter users themselves. According to the DfT’s estimates 444 people were seriously injured and 940 sustained slight injuries. Tragically 6 fatalities were recorded, 5 of whom were e-scooter riders, the other a pedestrian. 218 other pedestrians were casualties of an e-scooter collision and 47 pedal cyclists also were a casualty of a collision.

Where injury-based reporting was used, the most frequently recorded injury types included cuts, abrasions, bruising, sprains and strains. Serious injuries included fractures to the arm, collarbone, hand, lower leg, ankle or foot as well as head injuries.

Fire Incidents Involving E-bikes & E-scooters 2024

Alongside collision related injuries, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) highlighted a continuing safety concern relating to fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters. In 2024, the OPSS recorded 5 fire incidents that resulted in 8 fatalities, underscoring the severe consequences that can arise when these events occur. A further 42 fires led to non-fatal casualties, with 86 reported injured. The OPSS has been keen to emphasise that these figures might not represent the full picture. Casualty and fatality information is only included where it is explicitly disclosed in incident notifications, meaning the true number of people affected is likely to be higher.

E-bike & E-scooters Injury Claim FAQs