The mother of a man who died after crashing an electric scooter in central Auckland has one simple message: "never ride an e-scooter without full-faced head protection".
Ryan Taylor, 30, was riding an e-scooter along Ian McKinnon Drive in Eden Terrace around 11.30pm on January 29 when he crashed.
He was found in a critical condition but later died, police said at the time. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Now, Taylor's mother, Liz Jarden, is hoping to raise awareness around the importance of wearing the correct head protection while riding an e-scooter.
"Police are still piecing together what happened, but it looks like he lost control of the scooter going down a hill, maybe because of a pothole or a crack in the road or something," Jarden told Stuff.
Jarden understands Taylor came off the scooter and landed on the side of his head.
Although Taylor was wearing a helmet, it was a bicycle helmet that left the sides of his head, jaw and face uncovered, she said.
"I truly believe that he'd be alive today if he'd been wearing something else on his head."
Jarden thinks the solution lies partway between the smaller bike helmet and a full-faced motorbike helmet.
"If I can make Ryan's death mean something, I urge the public – and in particular parents – to make sure the people they love are using the correct protection."
Jarden also reiterated the importance of not using earbuds while riding an e-scooter.
"When people are wearing earbuds, they're much less aware of their surroundings, which can prove fatal," she said.
"You absolutely shouldn't be on an e-scooter with earbuds in."
Taylor has been remembered by his family as an "outgoing, energetic, fun-loving young man".
He had a passion for food and exploring environmentally sustainable ways of producing food with "wild" flavours, Jarden said.
"He really loved New Zealand cuisine and was very inspired by beautiful, local produce."
Taylor's family is hoping to plant a memorial tree on his behalf in Mt Eden. Contributions to the memorial can be made here.