RMH leads the way on e-scooter and e-bike research

The multicentre Victorian study, led by the RMH with support and funding from RACV, examined 644 injuries involving e-scooters and e-bikes across ambulance services and five emergency departments between November 2025 and May 2026.

The research found thirty-five people, representing five per cent of injured riders, sustained severe, potentially life-threatening injuries and one death was recorded.

The RMH’s Director of Emergency Medical Research Associate Professor Elyssia Bourke said the research confirmed what her team were witnessing in the emergency department nearly every day.

"While many people associate e-scooter and e-bike crashes with relatively minor incidents, our study found a substantial number of patients required significant medical care,” A/Prof Bourke says.

"We recorded serious injuries affecting multiple parts of the body, including head and facial injuries, and found that many patients needed advanced imaging, hospital admission and surgery.

"Importantly, this study establishes a strong evidence base to better understand injury patterns and identify opportunities to prevent future harm."

Among people treated at participating hospitals, 92 per cent required medical imaging, 30 per cent were admitted directly to a surgical ward, four per cent required intensive care and 58 per cent of admitted patients underwent surgery.

The research also found 133 injured e-scooter riders, or 26 per cent of the 482-person cohort, were under 16 years of age – the age legally required for e-scooter use.

Demonstrating just how wide the range of e-device usage is across Victoria, the youngest rider represented in the research was just three years old while the oldest was 83.

The research also found that e-mobility injuries have wider impacts on Victorians. Half of surveyed adults reported taking time off work following their injury, while nearly half reported out-of-pocket expenses associated with their crash. Those who incurred costs reported average expenses of approximately $600.

Among the key risk factors recorded among the injured were lack of protective gear at 61 per cent, a maximum speed greater than 25km/h at 23 per cent and lack of helmet at 24 per cent.

This study is part of the RMH’s commitment to leading research excellence for clinical impact - a critical part of the new 10-year strategy, Together 2035.

Key findings

• 644 injured e-scooter and e-bike riders represented.

• 26 per cent of injured riders were under the legal age to operate an e-scooter.

• 33 per cent of injured riders were children and adolescents aged 17 years or younger.

• Five per cent sustained severe, potentially life-threatening injuries.

• One death was recorded.

• Nearly one-quarter of injured riders sustained head injuries and a similar proportion sustained facial injuries.

• Among hospital-treated patients, 92 per cent required medical imaging and 58 per cent of admitted patients required surgery.

• Injured riders who reported out-of-pocket expenses incurred average costs of approximately $600.