In Lviv, over the past 13 weeks, 204 people have sought medical help after being injured while using electric scooters. According to medical staff, almost half of those injured are children.
Among the injured e-scooter riders are 100 children and 104 adults. Some of those hurt sought help on their own, while others were taken to hospital by emergency medical teams.
Hospitalisation was required for 58 children and 3 adults. Doctors stress that a significant number of such cases could have been avoided if safety rules had been followed and protective equipment used.
Medical professionals are urging parents not to allow children to use electric scooters without a helmet, proper protection and adult supervision. They emphasise that a helmet, moderate speed and compliance with the Highway Code significantly reduce the risk of serious injury.
In Lviv, the rules for using electric scooters and other micromobility devices have already been tightened. The new requirements include a minimum user age of 16, mandatory use of protective helmets, a speed limit of 15 km/h in potentially hazardous areas, as well as regulated parking for such devices.
The city council explains that additional safety measures have been introduced due to the rising number of injuries associated with the use of electric scooters, especially among children.