'Real epidemic' in children being injured by e-scooters, says doctor

More than 120 children within the Belfast Trust area have been treated for injuries sustained by electric scooters and e-bikes in the past 24 months, according to a senior doctor.

Dr Gail Davison, a paediatric emergency medicine consultant at the Royal Belfast Hospital, said the problem has become "a real epidemic".

She added that "it's only a matter of time before we have even more severe injuries that we're already having or increasing deaths".

Electric scooters are two-wheeled vehicles powered by electric engines and can only legally be ridden on roads, cycle paths and in parks in the UK if they are rented as part of a government-backed scheme, however no such schemes are currently in place in Northern Ireland.

Privately-owned e-scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner's permission.

Davison said e-scooters have become a "real problem" for parents, patients, the community and healthcare, and can result in "life-changing and life-threatening" injuries.

Ninety-three children attended hospitals in the Belfast Trust in the last year for e-scooter injuries and over a quarter of them had fractures or head injuries warranting investigation and CT scans.

"Less than 10% are wearing helmets and they're mostly males between the age of 10 to 12," Davison added.

"I've been treating children with major head injuries requiring surgical intervention, admission, and we're seeing major wounds as well from the e-bike where children are needing to go to theatre for exploration of those wounds and surgical intervention.

"And in the last few months also, we've seen an increasing number of bystander injuries.

"So not only are the children on the e-scooter being injured, now it's bystanders such as toddlers who are just walking on the pavement."

Sadie was knocked down by an e-scooter on the Antrim Road in North Belfast.

"An adult came down one and just knocked me down on the ground," she said.

"And then he came off the scooter himself.

"They should be banned, or there should be a licence or something."

BBC News NI spoke to people in Belfast for their reaction.

Brian said that his two-year-old granddaughter was nearly injured by an e-scooter.

"Her daddy was bringing her down to me and he had parked the car on the other side of the street.

"When he walked past my car to get into my gate, two young fellas on electric scooters knocked them down.

"And lucky enough, he turned his back to let the child land on him, but he hurt his hip badly and he hurt his elbow.

"But they could have been seriously injured and these young fellas don't care."

He added that where he lives in North Belfast, there are young people "flying up and down" the Old Park Road dressed in black.

"You can't hear them, you can hardly see them, and either they're going to kill themselves or they're going to kill someone else."

Under existing legislation, e-scooters are a motor vehicle and they should be taxed, insured and have lights and a number plate fitted.

The driver should also have a driving licence.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland's Ch Supt Sam Donaldson said "e-scooters on roads and in public spaces are being ridden illegally".

Ch Supt Donaldson added that individuals, many of whom are children, are committing offences as the e-scooter they are riding is not legally allowed to be in a public space.

"From a safety point of view, their inappropriate use in public spaces poses a risk to the safety of both rider and the public.

"People have already been seriously hurt as a result of their use. We also know they are causing huge concern, annoyance and disruption in many communities."

Davison is now appealing to parents to be responsible.

"Parents who come here after the horse has bolted, and after the injury has occurred, can't believe they have maybe purchased the e-scooter for the child for Christmas or for a birthday," she said.

She added that guardians should not allow children to use e-scooters and e-bikes anywhere other than private land, and stop them from using small electric vehicles which belong to their friends.

"I have never met a child that has sustained an e-scooter-related injury where they have been on their own private land.

"So, all of the children coming here with injuries have been riding the e-scooters illegally, which is a major concern."