New restrictions preventing under-18s from using e-scooters could have benefits extending well beyond the safety of young riders themselves, according to nationwide research from iReach Insights.
While much of the debate surrounding e-scooters has understandably focused on injuries sustained by riders, iReach research conducted among adults nationwide highlights the broader impact that e-scooter and electric bike incidents are having on pedestrians, motorists, families and other road users.
The research found that two in three adults (67%) have either personally experienced or know someone who has experienced an accident or near miss involving an e-scooter or electric bike.
E-scooters accounted for by far the largest proportion of these incidents, with 74% of those involved saying an e-scooter was involved in the most recent incident, compared with 10% involving a high-powered electric bike and 7% involving a pedal-assisted e-bike.
Impact on pedestrians and motorists
Among those who had experienced an incident:
- 38% experienced a near miss while walking
- 34% experienced a near miss requiring sudden braking or swerving
- 10% were forced off a footpath, cycle lane or roadway
- 6% experienced a collision resulting in personal injury
Concerns about e-scooters and high-powered electric bikes are also changing people’s behaviour in their everyday lives. Almost four in ten adults (39%) say they have taken greater care when walking because of concerns about these vehicles, while 29% have become more concerned about children or older relatives and 28% say they have felt less safe when driving.
The research also points to a significant emotional impact. Among respondents reporting an injury or other impact arising from an incident, 45% said they experienced emotional distress, anxiety or reduced confidence.
Public concerns extend beyond accidents
Potentially dangerous behaviour is also widely observed by the public. Almost three quarters of adults (72%) say they have seen e-scooter or electric bicycle riders weaving in and out of traffic, 67% have seen riders carrying a second person, while 64% have seen them travelling as fast as cars.
In incidents experienced by respondents, 22% said the rider appeared to be travelling at excessive speed, 21% said the rider was travelling on a footpath and 14% said the rider appeared to be under 16 years of age.
The findings indicate that many incidents may also never appear in official statistics. Two thirds (67%) of those involved said the incident was not reported to anyone, while just 10% said it was reported to An Garda Siochana.
In addition, 30% said there was no way to identify the rider or vehicle following the incident, while 16% said the rider left without providing details.
Strong public backing for tighter rules
The new minimum age of 18 for e-scooter users is closely aligned with public attitudes measured by iReach earlier this year.
Seven in ten adults (71%) said the minimum age for using e-scooters or high-powered electric bicycles should be 18, while 72% supported mandatory helmets and 66% supported Garda powers to seize non-compliant vehicles.
Commenting on the findings, Oisin Byrne, iReach Research Director, said:
“Much of the public discussion around e-scooters has understandably concentrated on the serious injuries suffered by riders, particularly younger riders. Our research shows that the impact is considerably wider.
Pedestrians are experiencing near misses, motorists are having to brake or swerve suddenly, people are becoming more cautious while walking and families are increasingly concerned about children and older relatives.
The increase in the minimum age to 18 therefore has the potential to deliver benefits beyond protecting younger e-scooter users themselves. If the new rules help reduce unsafe or inappropriate use, the benefits could be felt much more widely across communities and among all road users.
It is also striking that two thirds of the incidents captured in our research were never reported. This suggests that the day-to-day impact of e-scooter incidents and near misses may be substantially greater than official accident statistics alone can demonstrate.”
A wider road-safety issue
The findings suggest that assessing the impact of Ireland’s new e-scooter regulations should not focus solely on reductions in injuries among riders. Changes in pedestrian confidence, near misses, dangerous riding behaviour and the perceived safety of other road users could also provide important measures of whether the new regulations are delivering a broader improvement in community and road safety.