E-scooter and e-bike injury payouts exceed 100 million pounds

More than 100 million pounds in compensation has been paid out to people injured by e-scooters and e-bikes in the UK over the past seven years, according to the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB). The organisation, which settles claims when vehicles are uninsured, is now calling for tighter regulation of the sale of such vehicles, and in some cases a ban.

The figure covers payouts for injuries caused by privately owned e-scooters and e-bikes, which are often ridden illegally on pavements and roads without insurance. Only e-scooters that are part of official government trials can be legally used in public spaces; all others are illegal and can be seized and destroyed. Police forces across the country have been carrying out enforcement operations, with Kent police shown pulling over an illegally ridden e-scooter in April.

One victim, who asked not to be named, described being hit by an e-scooter. She suffered a broken pelvis, a broken wrist, and severe cuts and bruising. "I was extremely lucky," she said. "If I'd have been slightly older slightly younger, I could have not been here today." She added: "It's frightening to think that they're willingly handing these things over to people with no license, no insurance, no nothing and just letting them go. It's scary."

The MIB's chief executive said the number of claims is rising sharply and that the 100 million pound figure is likely to increase significantly, with many claims already in the pipeline. Vulnerable road users, particularly blind and partially sighted people, have expressed concern. One campaigner said: "We need to know that we can maintain our own safety. E-scooters are just another barrier."

In one of the most serious cases, 19-year-old Billy Stoko was jailed for six years and nine months after killing 86-year-old Gloria Stevenson when he hit her on his e-bike in July 2025. He had been using a mobile phone and had taken cannabis. He was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving. The case is being reviewed under the unduly lenient sentences scheme. Gloria's daughter, Julie Francis, said: "Mum was such a huge part of our life. We are absolutely devastated. And that's compounded by the rage that we feel at the injustice of the sentence."

In the case of the unnamed victim, the man who hit her was jailed for 15 months. She said: "There needs to be some change. They shouldn't be allowed on the roads. They shouldn't be just allowed anybody to buy them. It's not safe. There's kids riding around on them. They're deadly."