I'm all for better safety, but I think this is an overreaction. I'd compare falling off a scooter to be similar to falling off a bike–you're dealing with similar speeds and similar weight vehicles in both.
Falling off a bike/scooter at similar speeds obviously ends with similar results, but I'd be confident to wager that the probability of an accident is a lot higher on a scooter due to the point above.
I agree, and I've fallen off a bike a number of times. I have a few scars to show for it, and I would probably not be here if I hadn't worn a helmet during one of those accidents.
You very quickly reach speeds on a bike, and a scooter, where going down is going to mean significant injury even with the proper gear. Without safety gear, you're looking at life-changing or life-ending injuries.
I think it's important not to under-react just because the speeds are lower than a motorcycle - all those bones in our limbs break just as well at 10mph. When on a bike or a scooter, scaphoid wrist protection and at least a jacket on at all times, for me.
The most dangerous thing we can do is let ourselves mentally relax when we're on one, as if we're not on a big sharp chunk of (relatively) fast metal and inertia.
A helmet wearing person slamming headfirst into the nape of somebody's neck at 15 or 50 miles per hour is probably going to kill them.
The risk is lower on a scooter than on a motorcycle.
Well, talking about the weight of the vehicle is a red herring here. With the exception of getting hit/crushed by the vehicle, the human component of going down is all about speed, fleshy weight, and ride-height.
I'm also not expecting people to ATGATT while on the scooters, but without doing that, injuries are definitely going to rise with increased use.
I stopped motorcycling after that.