E-scooter hospitalisations triple among Australian teenage boys

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 19:38 · Archive

Hospitalisations from e-scooter falls tripled in Australia between 2019/20 and 2024/25, with teenage boys accounting for the steepest rise.

Hospitalisations from e-scooter and mobility scooter falls in Australia have tripled from 1291 in 2019/20 to 4089 in 2024/25, according to new national data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released on Thursday. This marks the first publication of national figures specifically distinguishing e-scooter injuries following new hospital data coding introduced in July.

Males accounted for two-thirds of all cases. Teenage boys aged 12 to 15 recorded the steepest rise, four times more likely than girls to be hospitalised over the five-year period. The hospitalisation rate for this age group jumped from 3.6 to 54 per 100,000. Most of those injured, about three in five, suffered fractures from their falls—an increase of around 12 per cent over a decade. By contrast, hospitalisations from non-powered scooters declined.

Institute spokeswoman Jacqueline Rek said understanding safety risks is becoming increasingly important as e-scooters grow more familiar on Australian roads. She highlighted that more than 150 pedestrian injuries were recorded in 2024/25, warranting ongoing monitoring. The data also captures e-bike-related injuries, though this category includes injuries from mopeds, which limits conclusiveness, the institute warned.

How it is being reported

• Teen boys push tripling in e-scooter hospitalisationsNew figures shed a light on the danger posed by many Australians' favourite way to get around, as a government body keeps a close eye on the data.Perth Now · 21 Oct, 19:02
• Teen boys push tripling in e-scooter hospitalisationsNew figures shed a light on the danger posed by many Australians' favourite way to get around, as a government body keeps a close eye on the data.The West Australian · 21 Oct, 19:02

In this story: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare · Jacqueline Rek · Australia

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