10/04/2026
Pursuing Mandatory Helmets and E-Micromobility Accountability
E-scooters and e-bikes have emerged as popular modes of transportation worldwide in recent years. However, the risks they pose to riders and other sidewalk users, particularly when used improperly, are only now becoming fully apparent.
The Belgian Mobility Minister, Jean-Luc Crucke, has proposed making helmet use mandatory for riders when e-scooters exceed speeds of 20 km/h, stating that “there are too many accidents, often serious ones.”
In the United States, a Minnesota victim injured by an underage e-bike operator is seeking accountability for her injuries. The accident nearly resulted in her death and has prompted the city to take action, including reducing maximum e-bike speeds to 24 km/h on city trails, banning e-bikes on sidewalks, and introducing penalties.
In Finland, new legislation approved in June 2025 introduced a minimum age of 15 and a blood alcohol limit of 0.5 g/L for e-scooter riders. This followed findings that approximately half of the individuals involved in e-scooter accidents in Helsinki were intoxicated at the time. In addition, the government included a recommendation that helmets should be worn while riding.
Rules reduce risks, but they don’t eliminate them. While prevention and regulation are the first lines of defense, the medical reality is that accidents still happen. When they do, rapid and accurate diagnosis is critical to recovery.
Medicortex Finland Plc is bridging this gap by developing an innovative diagnostic test designed to detect concussions and traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the earliest possible stage. Our goal is simple: ensure that no head injury goes unnoticed or untreated. Learn more about our mission: www.medicortex.fi
Sources:
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2026/03/30/_mandatory-helmet-for-e-scooters-from-september/
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/electric-bikes-can-fast-dangerous-stay-safe-rcna265676
https://yle.fi/a/74-20164527