Illegal and anti-social use of e-bikes and e-scooters is emerging as a significant road safety challenge, particularly in urban areas experiencing rapid growth in gig-economy delivery activity. As part of the e-SAFE project (Equity, Social determinants, Anti-social behaviour, Future E-mobility), funded by The Road Safety Trust, this research undertook empirical analysis of secondary data to quantify e-mobility safety risks across West Yorkshire.

The study integrated STATS19 police-reported collision records, a 12-month dataset of anti-social behaviour (ASB) calls involving e-bikes and e-scooters provided by West Yorkshire Police, and AI-enabled near-miss detections from VivaCity traffic sensors deployed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Linking collision, nuisance and conflict data enabled identification of spatial hotspots, temporal peaks and high-risk sub-groups.

Findings indicate that, unlike pedal cycling, e-mobility injury severity trends show no clear improvement, since records began in 2020. Collisions are disproportionately concentrated in dense urban centres and more deprived communities, highlighting the intersection of transport inequality and occupational exposure. Incidents and ASB reports peak during evenings and weekends, aligning with delivery demand. Video analysis identified that over one-fifth of observed micromobility users were delivery riders, predominantly on e-bikes, travelling at significantly higher average speeds than non-delivery riders, reinforcing speed management as a priority issue within a Safe System framework.

The presentation will focus on key findings from the combined analysis of police, ASB and VivaCity data. The findings are being used to inform engagement with gig-economy riders and have wider implications for enforcement, infrastructure investment and developing education campaigns.

Dr Steve O’Hern, Institute for Transport Studies (ITS), University of Leeds

Dr Steve O’Hern is an Associate Professor in Travel Behaviour and Analysis at the Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, where he leads the Social and Political Sciences Research Group.

He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Monash University Accident Research Centre.