Electric scooters have become a common sight in our cities. They are often touted as an emblem of modern micro-mobility, a solution that promises to ease congestion, reduce travel times and cut emissions. However, behind their promise and modernity lies a hidden danger: these vehicles pose a threat to the health and safety of young people. The World Health Organisation has identified physical inactivity as a “silent threat to global health”. Active mobility – walking or cycling – is the most effective way to combat this, as it integrates exercise into everyday life, especially on regular journeys such as commuting to and from school. In light of this concern, several recent studies have looked at assisted mobility, and asked whether these vehicles steal opportunities for physical activity from young people. One study shows that using an e-bike consumes less energy than walking. This stands to reason: e-bikes are not an active means of transport, but a passive and assisted one. By replacing walking or cycling, they reduce levels of daily physical activity, as another study has pointed out. Furthermore, since they take you right to your destination, they make hybrid mobility with public transport less attractive. If a young person replaces a 15-minute walk with a 5-minute ride on an electric scooter, they lose a crucial part of their daily physical activity and interaction with their environment. Multiply this across millions of young people and the impact on public health is devastating, as it increases the risk of long-term non-communicable diseases. We also cannot ignore the negative effects of electric scooter use on psychosocial health. These vehicles could, for instance, transform the social experience of travelling to school – they reduce opportunities for social interaction offered by active transport, resulting in fewer conversations and shared experiences. Risk of serious injury In addition to social and health risks, the rise of assisted micro-mobility has caused a worrying increase in the number of accidents. The data is clear: figures from the Spanish Directorate-General for Traffic shows that 459 people were hospitalised in Spain in 2024 due to accidents involving personal mobility vehicles (mainly electric scooters) – 34% more than in 2023. The number of fatalities almost doubled during this period, from 10 to 19. Data from other European countries confirms this trend. In Germany, for example, fatalities rose by 27 per cent. Half of those injured were under the age of 25. Other studies have revealed that, among young people, electric scooters cause more accidents than bicycles, causing injuries such as complex fractures, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. The speeds they can reach, the instability of their small wheels, and a lack of specialised infrastructure combine to make travelling on them risky. There are several other elements to this dangerous cocktail. These include a false sense of security, low helmet use, lack of road safety education, and young people’s inexperience in manoeuvring at high speeds in congested urban environments. Bicycles: the real future of transport The solution is not to ban scooters, but to promote healthy and sustainable alternatives. Bicycles, not necessarily electric ones, are the key to mobility for short and medium-distance urban journeys. Bicycles offer a triple advantage that electric scooters cannot match: Health: We expend energy while cycling, which contributes to daily physical activity and improves psychological and social outcomes. Sustainability: Bicycles create no emissions, which makes them invaluable in the fight against climate change. Safety: Although bikes are not risk-free, their design, stability and existing cycling infrastructure improve both perceived and actual safety. At the Spanish Network for an Active and Healthy Childhood, we firmly believe that youth mobility must be active, not assisted. It is essential that urban planning policies, educators and families all prioritise the creation of safe and attractive environments for young people to walk and cycle. To improve public health and the health of the planet, we need to invest in: Safe, segregated cycle lanes Pedestrianised areas and traffic-calming measures Measures that enable bikes to share road space with motorised vehicles Active road safety education programmes, both in and out of school settings Campaigns highlighting the physical and mental benefits of cycling. The electric scooter is great for getting around, but not for health. We must ensure that the next generation does not sacrifice physical activity for the sake of convenience. A healthier youth and a greener planet are both within our reach, but only if we encourage young people to be more active. 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The hidden health dangers of electric scooters: how assisted mobility is making us less mobile
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