Warning signs are mounting as a growing number of children are being hospitalised with serious injuries caused by e-scooters and e-bikes. According to data from the Belfast Trust, over 120 young people have received treatment in hospitals across Northern Ireland in just two years. The alarming trend has prompted Dr Gail Davison, a senior paediatric emergency medicine consultant at the Royal Belfast Hospital, to describe it as a 'real epidemic'. She fears that unless action is taken, we will see more severe injuries and even fatalities.
The severity of the issue cannot be overstated. Dr Davison's team has treated children with major head injuries requiring surgery and hospital admission, as well as significant wounds needing theatre exploration. A worrying 90% of those injured were not wearing helmets at the time of their accident. Males between the ages of 10 and 12 are disproportionately affected, making up the majority of cases.
But it's not just riders who are at risk – bystanders, including toddlers, are also being hurt. The Northern Ireland Police Service is clear that e-scooters used on public roads and pavements are being ridden illegally, posing a significant safety hazard to both users and others in the community.
Local residents are speaking out about the impact of these incidents. One woman was knocked down by an adult riding an e-scooter on the Antrim Road in North Belfast, while another recounts how his two-year-old granddaughter narrowly avoided serious injury when two young people on e-scooters collided with her father.
Dr Davison is now urging parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for their children's safety. She notes that many parents express regret after purchasing e-scooters, only to see their child end up in the emergency department following an injury. The stark reality highlights the urgent need for awareness and adherence to existing laws to prevent further harm.