This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.
On 22nd March 2022 this Court commenced an investigation into the death of Fatima Abukar age 14 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 13th December 2022. I arrived at a short form conclusion of Road Traffic Collision.
Ms Abukar’s medical cause of death was determined as;
1a Head Injury 1b Blunt Force Trauma (Road Traffic Collision)
Circumstances of the death
Fatima Abukar was a 14 year old girl who died due to catastrophic head injuries sustained in a road traffic collision.
Ms Abukar was observed to ride a battery-powered e-scooter in a southerly direction on the west pavement of Green Street, East Ham. Ms Abukar was travelling at a speed not less than 11 mph, she not wearing any safety equipment.
Ms Abukar left the pavement and entered the northbound carriageway of the road, against the flow of traffic. Ms Abukar bore left, over the central markings of the road and joined the southbound carriageway travelling alongside a mini-bus.
The e-scooter struck the off-side of the mini-bus, Ms Abukar lost control and fell beneath the wheels of the mini-bus.
Coroner’s concerns
1. Evidence in this inquest confirmed that since 2019 here have been 8 recorded fatalities involving e-scooters in London and 31 in the country at large. At the time of her death Ms Abukar was riding a privately owned e-scooter on a public highway. Despite the ubiquity of such devices on London’s streets, riding them on public roads is unlawful.
Whereas approximately 4000 unlawfully used scooters were seized by the Metropolitan Police Service in 2021, only 1100 were confiscated in 2022. The reduction is attributable to a change in policy introduced in November 2021.
An inverse correlation exists between the rate of legal enforcement and the rate of deaths caused by e-scooters. The number of deaths in Q1 & 2 of 2022 is more than double that of Q1 & 2 of 2021.
2. Ms Abukar died due to traumatic head injuries. Riders of legally authorised scooters (those hired from licenced operators) are not required to wear head protection.
3. Some manufacturers and retailers of e-scooters in England and Wales provide consumers with written warnings about the illegal use of e-scooters, others do not. Where such warnings are present, often they are not prominent.
Concerns and recipient responses
Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Report evidence summary
Concerns raised3
Reduced legal enforcement of unlawful e-scooter use
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.26
Action
Display prominent e-scooter product-page warnings prohibiting use on UK public roads or spaces and linking to current government guidance.
Stated byAmazon UK Services Ltd.Stated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Display and provide warnings that private electric scooters are illegal on public roads, footpaths, and cycle lanes.
Stated byOnBoardsStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Promote helmet use through product displays, bundled discounts, customer encouragement, and helmeted rider imagery.
Stated byOnBoardsStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
State e-scooter public-use restrictions in online product-page headers and blog references.
Stated byHalfords Group PLCStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Ask digital teams to identify ways to make online and social-media legal messages clearer.
Stated byHalfords Group PLCStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Print clear legal-use statements on all e-scooter price tickets and warranties.
Stated byHalfords Group PLCStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Display prominent in-store signage explaining e-scooter legal restrictions, including the prohibition on public-road use.
Stated byHalfords Group PLCStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Continuously review and update signage and customer-information processes, adapting them when improvements are identified.
Stated byHalfords Group PLCStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Communicate with digital teams to maintain prominent legal messages across online and social-media platforms.
Stated byHalfords Group PLCStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Write to private e-scooter retailers and run a public communications campaign explaining that private e-scooter use is illegal.
Stated byMayor of London and Transport for LondonStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Provide rental e-scooter safety guidance and encourage riders to use protective equipment, including helmets.
Stated byMayor of London and Transport for LondonStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Continue working with the Metropolitan Police Service and City of London Police to engage private e-scooter users and support enforcement where necessary.
Stated byMayor of London and Transport for LondonStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Consult on helmet wearing as part of developing future e-scooter regulation.
Stated byDepartment for TransportStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Issue updated guidance encouraging trial operators and local authorities to provide helmets and incentivise their use.
Stated byDepartment for TransportStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Continue reviewing and reminding store and digital teams to provide suitable e-scooter legal-status communications to customers.
Maintain prominent customer warnings that privately sold e-scooters cannot lawfully be ridden on public roads, pavements or other public places, in stores and online.
Reinforce safe-use guidelines through customer-service practice and after-sales documentation, including the user manual.
Stated byEvolve Skateboards UKStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Publish customers’ responsibility to comply with local safety and legal requirements in the website store policy.
Stated byEvolve Skateboards UKStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Publish helmet-wearing requirements in website frequently asked questions.
Stated byEvolve Skateboards UKStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Send annual joint letters to e-scooter retailers requesting prominent point-of-sale warnings about e-scooter legality.
Stated byMetropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Require full statutory release conditions, including valid insurance and driving licence, before releasing seized e-scooters and other covered vehicles.
Stated byMetropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Update and reinforce policing policy requiring a graduated, proportionate response to illegal e-scooter use, including guidance on lawful locations and responsible riding.
Stated byMetropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Advocate to the Department for Transport and Transport for London for protective headwear use by authorised e-scooter riders.
Stated byMetropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Advise customers at sale that Harrods E-Scooters are unsuitable for road use and record the warning on sales receipts.
Stated byHarrods LimitedStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Recommend helmets to E-Scooter purchasers and display helmets for sale alongside E-Scooters in the Technology department.
Stated byHarrods LimitedStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Action
Display E-Scooter legal-use notices in-store and online, and direct in-store purchasers to read them before completing purchases.
Stated byHarrods LimitedStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.5
Position
Enforcement concerning privately owned e-scooters is assigned to the Metropolitan Police Service and City of London Police using their enforcement powers.
Stated byMayor of London and Transport for LondonRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Enforcement and seizure of privately owned e-scooters used illegally on public land is addressed by the Home Secretary.
Stated byDepartment for TransportRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The MPS does not accept a correlation between e-scooter enforcement levels and deaths, and says no supporting evidence was presented at the inquest.
Stated byMetropolitan Police ServiceDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
DfT and TfL made the policy decisions on licensed e-scooter trial parameters and head protection, so they are best placed to explain the rationale.
Stated byMetropolitan Police ServiceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The government was identified as responsible for deciding whether to legalise scooters and introduce laws, regulations, compulsory protective gear and third-party insurance.
Stated byEScooterClinicRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Other statements in published responses
These actions and other statements could not be clearly connected to one concern in this report.
Recipient-stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.20
1
Send UK selling partners communications requiring removal of e-scooter advertising references and images that encourage potentially illegal public-road use.
Stated byAmazon UK Services Ltd.Stated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
2
Publish educational materials reminding selling partners to check local legal restrictions on using e-mobility devices on public roads or spaces.
Stated byAmazon UK Services Ltd.Stated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
3
Prevent sales of electric scooters to people under 18.
Stated byOnBoardsStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
4
Train and tutor sales colleagues to explain e-scooter legal restrictions during customer purchase discussions.
Stated byHalfords Group PLCStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
5
Advise Government that any future e-scooter legalisation should be measured and controlled, including specified speed, lighting and reflector standards.
Stated byHalfords Group PLCStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
6
Use till-roll and cash-register pop-up warnings to remind colleagues to inform customers of e-scooter legal restrictions at checkout.
Stated byHalfords Group PLCStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
7
Coordinate with participating borough councils and make Traffic Regulation Orders permitting rental e-scooters on TfL cycle tracks.
Stated byMayor of London and Transport for LondonStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Stated byMayor of London and Transport for LondonStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
9
Establish designated parking locations and expand the rental trial fleet and participating boroughs.
Stated byMayor of London and Transport for LondonStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
10
Procure the second trial phase by selecting operators against strict safety requirements and adding a minimum wheel-size specification.
Stated byMayor of London and Transport for LondonStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
11
Continue monitoring rental-trial data to inform e-scooter safety policy.
Stated byMayor of London and Transport for LondonStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
12
Apply operator warnings and bans to address reports of poor rental e-scooter rider behaviour.
Stated byMayor of London and Transport for LondonStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
13
Operate the London rental e-scooter trial and use anonymised scheme data to assess safe transport use.
Stated byMayor of London and Transport for LondonStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
14
Continue supporting the introduction of legislation intended to improve the safety of privately owned e-scooters.
Stated byMayor of London and Transport for LondonStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
15
Raise, discuss and record the e-scooter safety matter at the Executive Committee meeting.
Participate as a founding member of a personal mobility device safety group advising Queensland transport regulators.
Stated byEvolve Skateboards UKStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
18
Review global safety and legal-compliance practices with legal and industry professionals and roll out the resulting changes globally, including in the UK.
Stated byEvolve Skateboards UKStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
19
Publish and disseminate public warnings that privately owned e-scooters are unlawful on roads and may be seized.
Stated byMetropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
20
Implement age-verification checks at point of sale to prevent E-Scooter sales to people under 18.
Stated byHarrods LimitedStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2022.
Recipient positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
1
The incident was attributed to the user's underage, reckless and unprotected conduct, not to the scooter or its vehicle type.
Stated byEScooterClinicDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
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