North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has reported a 25.5% jump in calls to people injured while using bikes or scooters in July, and is urging riders to wear helmets to prevent serious injury. The rise is part of a broader trend this summer, with bike-related incidents increasing by a quarter compared to last year.
Increase in incidents and possible causes
Figures shared by NEAS show that paramedics responded to 340 bike-related incidents this July, up 25.5% from a year earlier and almost 45.9% up on July 2024, when there were 233 incidents. The ambulance service, which covers an area from the Scottish Border to Teesside, also attended 133 heat-related incidents during the month.
Alun Ross, Hazard Area Response Team (HART) and Resilience manager at NEAS, said: "We want to spread awareness of steps people can take to keep themselves safer when they are out enjoying themselves on bikes and scooters in the summer, and with the start of school looming. We have noticed that helmets aren't worn as much as they could be, and that's a key way of us reducing the risk of traumatic brain injuries."
He added: "This year in July we saw 25% more cases than we did last year. We don't know the exact cause but we have increased number of e-bikes, e-scooters out there which travel at greater speeds and therefore there's greater risk of injury if they have an accident. We are also seeing the lack of helmets worn in these incidents we are attending."
Helmet protection and safety advice
Mr Ross explained that even in slow-speed crashes, a helmet can be vital. He said: "The risk we have got when someone doesn't have a helmet on is that even in what might be a reasonably slow speed accident, [someone's] head is falling from a height and it just doesn't have any cushioning. If you hit the edge of a kerb, a lamppost, those things just don't give way. A helemt gives you that little bit of protection, that's the message to pass on."
NEAS has highlighted safety precautions such as checking bikes and scooters before setting off, wearing a helmet, and being aware of road dangers. Mr Ross said: "We've seen a significant rise in bike-related incidents this summer, with July recording 340 incidents across the region. Whether you're riding a bicycle, motorbike or scooter, wearing a properly fitted helmet is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of serious injury."
As children enjoy the summer holidays and prepare to return to school, NEAS is encouraging parents and carers to talk to them about staying safe and making helmet use a habit every time they ride.
