Britain's top surgeons are issuing a stark warning over a disturbing and rapid rise in severe injuries linked to electric bikes and e-scooters, calling it a looming public health emergency.
The alert comes from the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), which has been inundated with complex trauma cases that are more severe than those from traditional pedal cycles. Consultants report injuries of a severity typically seen in high-impact car crashes, not from city commuting.
A New Pattern of Severe Trauma
The types of injuries being treated are alarmingly serious. Surgeons cite a dramatic increase in:
- Major head injuries and traumatic brain damage, even amongst riders not wearing helmets.
- Complex facial fractures requiring extensive reconstructive surgery.
- Devastating internal injuries to the chest and abdomen, including organ damage.
Professor Neil Mortensen, President of RCS England, stated the injuries are "far more akin to those we would expect to see from a car crash" and emphasised the urgent need for a review of safety regulations surrounding these powerful vehicles.
The Speed Factor and Regulatory Gap
A core concern is the significant speed these vehicles can achieve. Many e-bikes can be easily modified to bypass UK legal speed limits, travelling at speeds far exceeding the 15.5mph (25km/h) government threshold. This creates a dangerous mismatch between their speed, their often flimsy construction, and the lack of robust safety requirements for riders.
Unlike car drivers, e-bike and e-scooter users are not required to have insurance, a licence, or wear a helmet, leaving them incredibly vulnerable.
Calls for Immediate Action
The surgical community is urging the government and manufacturers to take immediate steps to address this crisis. Their recommendations include:
- Launching a formal government review into the safety of e-bikes and e-scooters.
- Implementing stricter enforcement against illegally modified vehicles that break speed limits.
- Launching a new public safety campaign to educate riders on the very real risks.
- Encouraging manufacturers to prioritise safety in their designs.
This surgeon-led warning serves as a critical wake-up call. As the UK's streets become increasingly populated with these silent, fast-moving vehicles, the human cost of inaction is becoming tragically clear in the nation's operating theatres.
