Injuries associated with e-scooters, e-bikes and other e-micromobility devices: analysis of Emergency Department presentations and deaths in Victoria, 2016 to 2023 (Hazard Edition 93)

E-micromobility refers to the use of electric-powered, lightweight vehicles for short-distance trips within urban or suburban areas. These vehicles typically include electric scooters, electric bicycles (e-bikes), and electronic self-balancing devices such as Segways. While the use of e-micromobility is beneficial in providing environmentally friendly and cost-effective transport options, there are safety concerns around their use. The introduction and extension of the current e-scooter ride share scheme in Victoria, the regulation permitting use of private e-scooters on road, and the current widespread availability of e-bike ride shares, provided ample impetus to focus on e-micromobility safety in Victoria.

The aim of this edition of Hazard was therefore to provide an in-depth description of e-micromobility related injuries resulting in Emergency Department (ED) presentations (2017/18 to 2022/23) or death (2016–2020). The aims were to provide insights into e-scooter, e-bike and electronic self-balancing device related injuries in terms of time trends, population-based rates, sociodemographic patient profile, circumstances of the injury occurrence, injury severity, and ED presentation outcomes. The information can be used to inform e-micromobility safety practices in Victoria, as well as providing a baseline measure for continued tracking of injury trends and patterns.

The data sources for this report were the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset, made available to the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit by the Victorian Department of Health, and a custom data report on fatalities associated with e-micromobility, from the National Coronial Information System.