Security risks of e-scooters highlighted in new study

Much maligned by pedestrians and local governments, e-scooters have rapidly infiltrated dozens of major cities around the world, fuelled by financial backing from Silicon Valley. The electrically powered mobility devices are hailed by some as a green solution to inner-city travel, but their proliferation in cities such as San Francisco has resulted in a backlash that saw an outright ban followed by strict licensing for a limited number of providers.

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The backlash has predominantly focused on issues such as the danger e-scooters can pose to pedestrians, as well as users leaving the devices strewn over pavements and public areas once their journeys are complete or the scooters have run out of power. The research from UTSA initially examined those safety problems, but also discovered that there were significant data and security issues associated with the burgeoning sector. E-scooters are currently banned on the UK's roads, paths and cycle lanes, but can be used on private land.