The number of Australians using e-scooters has risen sharply in recent years, with about 3.6 million people riding them within a single year. What began as a convenient option for short trips and recreation has quickly become a common sight on city streets and suburban footpaths. Alongside that rise, health data and road safety groups are pointing to a growing problem: young riders are getting hurt at increasing rates.
Hospital figures in Queensland show that more than five people each day are presenting to emergency departments with e-scooter injuries. Around 2,000 riders were seriously injured in 2025. That figure marks a clear increase from 1,626 in 2024 and 1,380 in 2023. The upward pattern has raised questions among road safety experts about whether public awareness and rider education have kept pace with the devices’ popularity.
In Victoria, the pattern among younger riders stands out even more clearly. Nearly half of e-scooter injuries recorded in the state involve children aged between 10 and 14, despite laws that prohibit riders under the age of 16. Authorities say the figures point to a gap between regulation and what is happening on the ground, with many children gaining access to devices through family ownership or shared rentals.
Teenagers are also facing risks as they move to faster forms of e-mobility. Data shows that e-bike accidents are the most common type of incident among young people aged 15 to 18. These devices often travel faster than e-scooters and share the same road and path environments, placing inexperienced riders in situations that demand quick judgement and awareness of traffic.
Road safety charity BRAKE Driver Awareness Australia says the pattern reflects how quickly new forms of transport have entered daily life. According to the organisation, education has not kept up with the speed of adoption.
John Duncan, chief operating officer at the group, says many young riders encounter traffic conditions for the first time through devices like e-scooters.
“Devices like e-scooters can be a young person’s first experience travelling at speed in shared traffic,” he said. “The technology and availability arrived quickly, yet the education has not kept pace, and that gap is placing young people at risk.”
Medical researchers and road safety groups have also drawn attention to behaviour patterns that appear in e-scooter injury data. International studies suggest alcohol plays a role in about 42.9 per cent of injuries involving the devices. While drink driving laws are widely recognised by motorists, the same awareness does not always extend to people riding smaller electric vehicles.
Night riding presents another risk factor. A hospital audit in Queensland found that nearly two in five e-scooter crashes occurred between 9pm and 5am. Reduced visibility and higher levels of alcohol consumption during those hours are often cited as contributing factors.
Duncan argues that the hazards faced by e-scooter riders mirror those seen in traditional road safety campaigns.
“Australian society has made strong progress in recognising the dangers of driving under the influence or using a mobile phone while driving,” he said. “Those same risks apply to e-scooters. Riding intoxicated, travelling without a helmet, or riding late at night can carry the same dangers, yet many riders treat these behaviours casually.”
Beyond rider safety, e-scooters have also become a source of tension on shared pathways. Pedestrians, including older residents and people with disabilities, often share footpaths with riders travelling at higher speeds. Advocacy groups have raised concerns about near misses and limited awareness among riders about giving way or slowing down in crowded areas.
“We are hearing frustration from communities where scooters are used on shared paths without much consideration for others,” Duncan said. “People walking or using mobility aids can feel exposed, which is why courtesy and awareness are so important.”
To address these issues, BRAKE has launched a national school-based education initiative focused on e-mobility safety. The programme targets students aged 11 to 15 and is delivered through two classroom lessons. Its aim is to give young riders practical knowledge before they begin using devices regularly.
Lessons cover recognising hazards, managing peer pressure, understanding stopping distances and maintaining predictable movement in traffic. Students also learn about visibility, legal responsibilities and how decisions on the road affect other people nearby.
A key focus lies in attitudes toward shared public spaces. The programme encourages students to consider how riding behaviour affects pedestrians and other road users. Simple practices such as slowing down in crowded areas or using a bell to warn approaching pedestrians are presented as ways to reduce conflict and improve safety.
The approach reflects broader research into adolescent development. Experts say teenagers are often drawn to activities that provide excitement or social approval. At the same time, the parts of the brain responsible for impulse control are still developing during these years.
“During adolescence the reward-seeking part of the brain develops faster than the area responsible for impulse control,” Duncan explained. “Speed and peer approval can feel exciting in the moment. Education helps students pause and consider choices that protect themselves and others.”
BRAKE’s e-mobility programme sits alongside its wider road safety education work in schools. The organisation notes that road trauma remains the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths among Australians aged 15 to 24. Roughly 60 per cent of these fatalities fall within that category.
Location also plays a role in road risk. National data shows that nearly two thirds of fatal road crashes occur outside major cities. Regional and remote areas often involve longer travel distances, higher speed limits and fewer transport alternatives. For students in those communities, road safety education may be one of the few opportunities to discuss real-world risks before they begin driving or riding independently.
To reflect these conditions, BRAKE has developed a rural and remote module that addresses the specific hazards faced by students living outside metropolitan areas.
The organisation’s education work began modestly, with programmes introduced at three local high schools. Since then it has reached more than 90,000 students across over 190 schools in Queensland. Following those results, the initiative is expanding to other states. Schools in Victoria and South Australia are preparing to launch the programme, while several institutions in the Northern Territory have already committed to taking part.
For road safety advocates, the expansion reflects a growing recognition that transport habits among young Australians are changing. Electric scooters and bikes now form part of everyday travel, especially in urban areas where short trips are common.
Duncan believes education must adapt to these changes.
“Road safety should not be something young people learn after a tragedy,” he said. “With the right support, programmes like this could reach every secondary school and help students develop safer habits before problems occur.”
BRAKE is calling on schools, local councils, parents and businesses to support wider access to road safety education. The organisation argues that early awareness can help reduce injuries and build a culture of respect among riders, pedestrians and motorists alike.
As e-mobility devices continue to appear across Australian streets and pathways, safety groups say the challenge now lies in ensuring that the next generation of riders understands both the freedom and the responsibility that come with them.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
