Westmead children’s hospital records a 400 per cent jump in injuries related to e-bikes and e-scooters

Shocking new data from a Western Sydney hospital reveals the number of children admitted for injuries caused by e-scooters or e-bikes has jumped a staggering 400 per cent in 12 months.

Shocking new data from a Western Sydney hospital reveals the number of children admitted for injuries caused by e-scooters or e-bikes has jumped a staggering 400 per cent in 12 months.

The Daily Telegraph has been supplied detailed figures from The Children’s Hospital at Westmead where a leading trauma surgeon holds major concerns over escalating numbers and the frequency of young riders being injured while not wearing helmets.

There were 24 children hospitalised at Westmead in 2024 with injuries sustained in e-scooter or e-bike incidents.

In the four previous years combined there were 19 admissions with six children hospitalised in 2023, seven in 2022, five in 2021 and just one in 2020.

A further 20 children presented to the Westmead Children’s emergency department in 2024 but their injuries from e-scooters or e-bikes did not require admission.

At Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick there were 16 admissions in 2024 for e-bike and e-scooter related injuries. A further 18 children presented to the emergency department without requiring hospitalisation.

Across both hospitals 78 children presented with injuries in 2024 - almost 85 per cent were injured riders - and 40 required admission.

Historical data was not available for the Randwick hospital.

Dr SV Soundappan, Head of Trauma at Westmead Children’s, told this masthead e-scooters were responsible for most injuries and “nearly a third” of incidents involved riders hitting stationary cars or being struck by moving vehicles.

“When we look at our (Westmead Children’s admissions) data it was in single digits until last year,” he said.

“But we have seen this sudden jump. It’s mostly e-scooters ... and nearly two-thirds of these children were not wearing helmets while riding.

Twenty-four children were hospitalised at Westmead in 2024 with injuries sustained in e-scooter or e-bike incidents. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“We’ve also come across children being hit by e-scooters and sustaining serious injuries.”

The data comes as the NSW Government considers a report from a parliamentary inquiry into e-scooters, e-bikes and related mobility options, including a recommendation to legalise both private and shared hire e-scooters and allowing them to be ridden on footpaths.

Share-scooters are currently being trialled across dedicated areas of Sydney and regional NSW. Children under the age of 16 are prohibited from riding them anywhere other than on private property.

Dr Soundappan said children were riding in public areas regardless, and without head protection.

“It is not legal for children to be on e-scooters but I don’t think the public is aware of the rules around them,” he added.

“That is a real concern. These scooters are travelling at significant speeds and if you hit something you fall face forward.

Dr SV Soundappan, head of the trauma unit at Westmead Children’s Hospital, says nearly two-thirds of children involved in crashes were not wearing helmets. Picture: Thomas Lisson

“If you’re not wearing a helmet you’re going to get serious head injuries and facial fractures. That is the big concern. It puts them at risk of something really bad happening.”

The Revenue NSW website shows 10 fines were issued in 2024 to riders of electric scooters “not at least 16 years of age”. A further three offences were recorded in January this year.

Around 570,000 e-bikes and 459,000 e-scooters are in homes across NSW according to government forecasts, while sales of e-bikes alone rose 322 per cent between 2020 and 2022.

As the government considers the parliamentary inquiry recommendations, with a response due by 15 May, Sydneysiders visiting Bronte Beach held mixed views on e-mobility devices.

Daisy Hills, 27, had no objection to responsible e-bike riders but said “dangerous” behaviour needed to be addressed.

“There are a few reckless teens around here who probably do need a bit more restricting,” she said

Kate Peel, 29, said the sheer number of people sunbathing or relaxing at Bronte made e-bike riding along the park and promenade a risky proposition.

“If you’ve got people scooting around next to your head, and you don’t actually realise that anyone’s there, it can be quite dangerous,” she said.

“To get to the beach, I think they’re really useful. But they should be parked up by the road where the bike stands are.”

Originally published as Westmead children’s hospital records a 400 per cent jump in injuries related to e-bikes and e-scooters