E-scooters “most dangerous form of transport in Ireland” according to new RSA survey

The RSA commissioned Ipsos B&A to conduct a survey of e-scooter usage which found that 5% of adults (aged 16 years and older) had used an e-scooter in the past 12 months, with 4% being regular users*. Key demographics of the regular users include:

This reflects a clear pattern: e-scooter usage is concentrated among young, urban males, particularly in the capital.

The survey also found that e-scooter users’ regularly use other forms of transport, with the majority being motor vehicle drivers, but also cyclists and public transport users. E-scooter use has replaced driving but also walking and cycling for some of those that regularly use them.

Among all adults surveyed, e-scooters are now perceived as the most dangerous form of transport in Ireland, surpassing motorcycles in terms of perceived risk. Alarmingly, nearly one in four regular e-scooter users (24%) have been involved in a collision, while one in three (32%) have experienced a near miss. All reported collisions involved male riders.

Dr John Cronin, Emergency Medicine Consultant at St Vincent’s Hospital and board member of the Road Safety Authority said the research aligns with injuries being treated in emergency departments.

“E-scooters have quickly become a popular mode of transport, particularly in our cities — but with that popularity comes vulnerability. As an emergency medicine consultant, I’ve seen just how frequent and serious the injuries can be when things go wrong – from broken bones to serious head trauma. E-scooter users have very little protection and very little room for error, especially when mixing with larger, faster vehicles. Everyone on the road — whether walking, cycling, driving, or using an e-scooter — has a role to play in keeping each other safe. By staying alert and respectful, we can prevent lives from being tragically lost or forever altered by serious injury.”

Dr Cronin added: “We’re seeing a high and growing number of incidents, particularly among younger people, often involving no helmet or use in inappropriate or unsafe settings.

E-scooters offer real mobility benefits, but without responsible behaviour, proper care and awareness from all road users, they also bring a high risk of injury.”

Further insights show that one in three of these users ride on footpaths. Using e-scooters on footpaths is not permitted under the new regulations as they can pose a safety risk to pedestrians. Approximately 1 in 10 indicate they carry a child passenger (13%) or an adult passenger (8%) on an e-scooter. However, 3 in 5 (60%) indicate they wear a helmet and 2 in 3 (66%) wear reflective gear when using an e-scooter.

Three in four users are aware that e-scooters were now legal to use on Irish roads, with strong public support for the laws introduced. Though there is public uncertainty on the enforcement of the e-scooter laws, regular users consider it likely that they will get caught by the police if they break them.

Half of all respondents think the new 20km/h speed limit is appropriate, compared to 35% of regular users. While over 1 in 3 (36%) of all respondents indicate they believe the speed limit is ‘too high’, compared to 30% of regular e-scooter users.

Sarah O’Connor, Director of Partnerships & External Affairs with the RSA said:

“E-scooters offer a sustainable and convenient way to travel, especially in urban settings, but safety must come first. These findings show that while there is support for the new laws among all adults, risk-taking behaviour by e-scooter users is of concern, as is the safety of these users on our roads. As e-scooter use continues to grow, it’s essential that riders, pedestrians, and all road users remain aware of and respectful toward one another to ensure everyone’s safety.”

The RSA commissioned national survey on e-scooter users 2024 is accessible here.