E-scooter popularity isn’t slowing down despite scores of people injured in past few years

Hundreds of people are arriving in Queensland emergency departments battered and bruised with e-scooter injuries, as ‘alarming’ trends of drink driving, doubling and a lack of safety gear emerge.

Hundreds of people are being taken to Queensland emergency departments battered and bruised with e-scooter injuries, as “alarming” trends of drink driving, doubling and a lack of safety gear emerge.

But the risk of injury isn’t deterring eager riders who are snapping up the mobility devices more than ever before, and their popularity is expected to keep soaring.

The Metro North Hospital and Health Service recorded 952 e-scooter-related presentations at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Princess Alexandra and Mater hospitals between November 2018 and June 2021.

Two people share a scooter at Brisbane Riverwalk. Picture: Richard Walker

RACQ Principal Technical Researcher Andrew Kirk said it was clear people didn’t take their safety seriously after finding 35 per cent of people surveyed doubled on an e-scooter, and 11 per cent didn’t wear safety gear.

“These trends are extremely concerning. It’s clear many Queenslanders don’t take e-scooter safety seriously which is leading to serious and sometimes fatal crashes,” Mr Kirk said.

It comes after two teenagers were struck by a car and flung into the air while doubling on an e-scooter at the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday.

The 13-year-old girl and boy were rushed to hospital in critical conditions, but have since improved and are now stable at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

First responders said the scene was “extremely confronting”, and potentially life changing for the children.

A boy and girl suffered serious injuries after their e-scooter collided with a car at Alexandra Headland on Tuesday. Picture: 7News

But they were the lucky ones, with a number of fatal e-scooter crashes recorded in Queensland last year, including the death of 15-year-old Logan boy Lochlen Cocoran and 37-year-old Mansfield man Josh Wilson.

According to The Jamieson Trauma Institute, more than a third of patients brought into Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, and Mater Hospital between November 2018 and July 2021 were travelling at high speeds, and 16 per cent were not wearing a helmet.

At least 29 per cent of all admissions involved alcohol, with 18 to 24-year-old patients the most likely to be brought into the emergency department.

Mr Kirk said this was a huge concern.

“Riding e-scooters under the influence of alcohol is a major concern as it significantly reduces your ability to ride and increases your chance of a serious crash.

“It’s reckless, illegal and dangerous.”

A study of e-scooter presentations at Metro North Hospital and Health Service shows 16 per cent of people injured weren’t wearing helmets.

According to market research company Prescient and Strategic Intelligence, the micro-mobility market is worth about $16.9 million, but is expected to increase to $19 billion in 2030.

Scooter Hut customer care team leader Jay Lanzon said across their 11 stores, they had seen a massive boom in e-scooter sales, as well as hoverboards.

Last month, the company sold 1641 e-scooters in their Christmas rush, as well as 1960 hoverboards.

“In comparison to four years ago … it has popped off,” Mr Lanzon said.

“It’s only getting busier for us and we are really getting prepared for the years to come.”

Mr Lanzon said both e-scooter enthusiasts and professional workers looking to dodge the traffic were the main customer bases.

He said Queensland regulations for e-scooter riders were fair compared to other states, with the government recently beefing up penalties, but some people chose not to care about their own safety.

“We encourage them to wear a helmet and we stock all the gear, but there are customers who chose not to ride with a helmet and they are customers who we really can’t align with.”

The JTI research showed men were most likely to injure themselves in an e-scooter crash, especially between the ages of 25 and 24 years old.

Patients were also most likely to be brought to hospital with a fracture, or a head and face injury, at the weekends.