Rental e-scooters from Lime and Voi are all over London now, and one question that comes up a lot is whether you need a helmet to ride one. The short answer is that legally, you don’t. But coming off an e-scooter is a very different thing to coming off a bike, and none of the operators give you a helmet, so it’s worth bringing your own. In this guide I’ll cover what the law says, what to look for in an e-scooter helmet, and the helmets I’d actually pick for hopping on a hire scooter.
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Do You Need a Helmet on an E-Scooter in the UK?
Helmets aren’t a legal requirement on rental e-scooters in the UK, but the government’s own guidance recommends wearing one that fits properly and meets current safety standards. Private e-scooters are a different story, as they’re still illegal to ride on public roads at all. I’ve covered the rules in more detail in my section on whether e-scooters are legal in the UK.
E-scooters have small wheels and you’re standing up rather than sitting down, so a pothole or a raised kerb that a bike would roll over can stop a scooter dead. That’s exactly the moment you want something on your head.
What Makes a Good E-Scooter Helmet?
There’s no UK helmet standard written specifically for e-scooters, so the usual baseline is the cycling standard, EN 1078. If you want extra coverage around the back and sides of your head, look for NTA 8776, the Dutch standard for faster e-bikes. I explain the difference in my guide to whether you need an NTA 8776 helmet.
For hire scooter riders, three other things matter:
- Portability: you’re not parking your own scooter at home, so the helmet has to come with you. A helmet you can fit in a bag is one you’ll actually carry.
- Visibility: scooters sit low in traffic, so a built-in rear light is a real bonus.
- Fit: a helmet only works if it sits snugly and level, so check the sizing before you buy.
The Best E-Scooter Helmets for Lime and Voi Riders
1. Newlane Folding Helmet (best for carrying around)
This is the one I’d pick for hire scooters. It folds down small enough to slide into a rucksack, so it’s with you when you spot a scooter and out of the way when you hop on the tube afterwards. It’s EN 1078 rated, but doesn’t have MIPS or NTA 8776.
2. Closca Folding Helmet (best looking folding helmet)
Another folding helmet that collapses down to fit in a bag, with a more design-led look than most. It costs a bit more, but if you care about how a helmet looks on your head, it’s worth a look.
3. ABUS Pedelec 2.0 ACE (most protection)
If you’re on a scooter most days, this is the step up. It’s NTA 8776 certified, so it’s been tested to a higher impact level than a standard cycling helmet, with extra coverage at the sides and back and a built-in rear light. It doesn’t fold, so it suits people who ride often enough to carry it anyway.
ABUS Pedelec 2.0 ACE
4. ABUS Hyban 2.0 (best on a budget)
A solid budget pick at under £50, EN 1078 rated, with a red LED on the back so you’re seen in traffic. It’s a good choice if you only scoot now and then and want something simple.
Final Thoughts on E-Scooter Helmets
For most people jumping on a Lime or Voi scooter now and then, a folding helmet is the one you’ll actually carry, and a helmet you actually wear beats a better one left at home. If you scoot every day, the ABUS Pedelec is worth the extra.
For what the scooters themselves cost, see my full comparison of London’s hire bikes and scooters. For more helmet options, have a look at the best folding bike helmets and the best e-bike helmets.
