London [UK], October 1: One pedestrian was killed and 59 were seriously injured in e-scooter crashes in Britain last year, figures show, causing a charity for blind people to brand them "fast, silent and unpredictable."
A further 158 suffered minor injuries in collisions with the vehicles, according to the Department for Transport (DfT) statistics.
Pedestrians were the road user type most at risk of being injured in e-scooter crashes last year, excluding the vehicles' users.
They were followed by cyclists (47 injured), car occupants (12 injured) and motorcyclists (seven injured).
The UK has been described as an "outlier" among developed nations in banning private e-scooters from public areas, although they are often illegally used in many urban areas.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) expressed concerns over the use of e-scooters in pedestrianised areas.
RNIB policy lead Erik Matthies said: "E-scooters are fast, silent and unpredictable, often ridden on pavements and in other pedestrian areas.
"Even if a blind or partially sighted pedestrian hasn't yet had a collision or near-miss with an e-scooter, their increased risk can lead them to limit their walking journeys."
Some 77% of respondents to a survey of blind and partially sighted people conducted by the charity earlier this year said the behaviour of e-scooter riders makes them feel unsafe.
Five e-scooter users died in crashes in 2024.
Source: Qatar Tribune
