Master's Thesis: E-Scooter and Bicycle Accidents Concentrated at Specific Tallinn Intersections
A master's thesis from Tallinn University of Technology identifies 15 high-risk intersections in Tallinn where most e-scooter and bicycle accidents occur, with factors including high speeds, poor visibility, and mixed traffic.
Accident Hotspots Identified
Oliver Johan Ed Kari, a recent graduate of Tallinn University of Technology (TTÜ), analyzed traffic accidents involving cyclists and e-scooter users in Tallinn from 2019 to 2024. Using open data from the Police and Border Guard Board and the Transport Department, he identified 15 intersections where the highest number of crashes occur.
More than half of these intersections are located in Põhja-Tallinn and the city center. According to Kari, the most dangerous spots are where cars travel or turn at high speed while crossing a bicycle and pedestrian path. The risk level is determined not only by accident frequency but also by traffic design—problem areas mix cars, cyclists, e-scooter users, and pedestrians in the same space, with their trajectories crossing in a short time.
Key Risk Factors
The study found that wide turning radii, which allow drivers to navigate intersections at higher speeds, poor visibility, and layouts where bike and pedestrian paths cross the roadway directly at a turn are especially problematic. The most dangerous intersection is near Endla, Tehnika, and Luise streets by the Kristiine shopping center, combining high-speed car turns, a wide intersection, and a bike lane crossing multiple traffic lanes.
While the thesis focuses on infrastructure, Kari emphasizes that risky behavior also plays a role. E-scooter users often approach intersections at higher speeds than cyclists and misjudge braking distances. Additionally, e-scooters can travel several times faster than pedestrians, making unexpected encounters on sidewalks and crossing points dangerous.
Solutions for Safer Streets
Kari recommends prioritizing intersection redesign: physically separating different road users, improving visibility, and forcing vehicles to slow down when approaching intersections. One example is a planned tunnel for pedestrians and cyclists in the Kristiine area, which would allow crossing the railway without encountering car traffic. However, not all intersections can be rebuilt with tunnels due to cost; simpler measures like reducing turn speeds and enhancing visibility are also needed.
The thesis ties Tallinn's situation to broader mobility trends. The rapid spread of e-scooters has increased users, but infrastructure and traffic management have not kept pace. Kari argues that safety cannot be improved solely by changing road user behavior. Instead, urban spaces must be organized to minimize dangerous conflict points and give all road users enough time to see each other and react.
