30 Jul E-scooter injuries soar among children as experts warn they are not toys
E-scooter injuries among Victorian children have increased four-fold in four years, with researchers warning that privately owned devices are often too fast and powerful for young riders.
E-scooters may look like toys, but new research shows they are sending a growing number of children and adults to hospital with serious injuries.
UNSW Sydney researchers examined almost 4700 e-scooter-related emergency department presentations in Victoria between 2022 and 2025. Injuries among children aged two to 14 rose from 64 cases in 2022 to 263 in 2025.
Children under 16 are not permitted to ride e-scooters on Victorian roads, yet almost half of the injuries involving children happened on roads.
Lead researcher Dr Lisa Sharwood said the rise may be linked to children gaining easier access to privately owned e-scooters. Unlike share-hire schemes, private devices do not have age-verification systems and may reach speeds beyond a child’s ability to control safely.
“E-scooters are not toys,they can travel at speeds capable of causing serious injuries, including fractures and head injuries.” said Dr Sharwood.
Children were not the only group at risk. Young men accounted for more than 70 per cent of hospital presentations, while people aged 15 to 34 made up almost half of all cases.
More than one-third of injured riders were admitted to hospital, and around one-third arrived by ambulance. Head injuries were the most common, followed by injuries to the wrist, hand and forearm.
Most incidents did not involve cars. Almost three-quarters were caused by riders falling or losing control, suggesting speed, inexperience, uneven surfaces and the stability of the scooter itself all play a role.
The researchers are calling for clearer national rules covering age limits, helmets, speeds and where e-scooters can be ridden. They also want stronger product safety standards and better information for parents.
What are the rules for e-scooters and e-bikes?
Children under 16 are prohibited from riding standard e-scooters in Victoria and several other states, although age limits and public-riding rules vary across Australia.
Privately owned e-scooters in NSW remain illegal in public places, regardless of age. Shared scooters may be used only in approved trial areas, subject to local and operator rules.
See also: E-scooter dangers
