New edition of Hazard highlights rising e-micromobility injury trends in Victoria

The latest edition of the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit’s (VISU) Hazard features a detailed analysis of injuries related to e-micromobility devices in Victoria, which includes e-scooters, e-bikes, and self-balancing devices like Segways. The new edition highlights the growing safety concerns linked to the rapid adoption of these devices, particularly following the Victorian e-scooter trial.

The use of e-micromobility devices has increased dramatically in Victoria, especially e-scooters, leading to a significant rise in injuries.

Between 2016 and 2020, 14 deaths were recorded across Australia involving e-micromobility devices, with half of these fatalities linked to e-bikes. The majority of fatal incidents occurred in Queensland, with the age group most affected being 35–44 years.

In Victoria from 2017/18 to 2022/23, emergency department (ED) presentations included 1680 e-scooter injuries, 534 e-bike injuries, and 564 injuries from self-balancing devices. E-scooter injury rates alone jumped from 0.3 to 14.9 per 100,000 population, while e-bike injuries rose from 0.2 to 3.4 per 100,000.

Fractures were the most common injury, particularly to the wrist and hand. Head and neck injuries were more frequent in e-scooter incidents, while e-bike injuries tended to be more severe, with higher rates of triage and hospital admission.

Falls were the most common cause of injuries across all device types, with a significant proportion of e-scooter and e-bike injuries occurring on roadways. Most incidents happened during summer and on weekends, with a notable spike in nighttime injuries.

To address these growing safety concerns, the report highlights several key recommendations:

  • Infrastructure improvement - Enhance e-scooter and e-bike infrastructure, aligning with cycling infrastructure upgrades.
  • Public education - Raise awareness about safety regulations, particularly age limits and the risks of riding under the influence of alcohol.
  • Enforcement - Strengthen police enforcement to deter risky behaviours, such as riding on sidewalks or without helmets.
  • Data collection - Improve monitoring of e-micromobility use and injury trends, including both share-scheme and private devices.
  • Product safety - Review the safety of e-micromobility devices available for sale in Victoria and continue to monitor emerging risks, particularly battery-related injuries.

Read the full report and explore the detailed findings of Hazard Edition 93 here.