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)

<p dir="ltr">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. </p><p dir="ltr">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. </p><p dir="ltr">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.</p>