E-Scooters Pose Serious Risks to Teens Under 16 Years Old: Study

Researchers call for a minimum age requirement of at least 16 years old for riding e-scooters.

New research has raised concerns about a growing number of serious, and sometimes life-threatening injuries involving children under the age of 16 using e-scooters.

According to findings published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health on June 3, nearly 80% of child e-scooter injuries involved a fall while riding, and in about half of those cases, the rider was not wearing a helmet.

Electric scooters, or e-scooters, are motorized, two-wheeled vehicles powered by rechargeable batteries, designed for short-distance travel on roads, bike lanes and sidewalks. Originally popularized for adult commuting, they have become a common sight in densely populated cities across the U.S., where they are marketed as a convenient, eco-friendly alternative to cars for quick urban trips.

Their affordability, ease of use and availability through rental apps have fueled rapid adoption among both adults and children. In 2022, more than 57 million e-scooters were sold globally, and that number is expected to rise significantly by 2025. However, as their popularity grows, so do concerns over safety, particularly for younger riders.

Researchers from the Sunshine Coast University in Queensland, Australia, analyzed pediatric e-scooter injuries among children ages 5 to 15 years old at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital from 2023 to 2024. They used emergency room records and evaluated the trauma severity and compliance with safety regulations.

Led by Matthew Clanfield, the team identified 176 e-scooter injuries at that one hospital during the two-year study period. The data indicates 78% of those crashes occurred because a child fell from the scooter. In only about 13% of crashes was a car or other motor vehicle involved.

In addition, the researchers determined that 42% of cases involved the rider not wearing a helmet, and in 36% of cases the child went over 25 kph, which is roughly equivalent to 15 miles per hour. One in 10 cases involved a rider who was “doubling” on a scooter, meaning they were riding with an extra person.

Clanfield stated that one in 10 injuries sustained by riders were considered life-threatening or potentially life-threatening. This included traumatic brain injuries or other serious injuries. In nearly 40% of cases, the rider suffered a bone fracture and in 18% of cases they needed a CT scan to evaluate other more serious injuries.

The researchers called for a minimum age limit to be placed on e-scooters, restricting them to riders 16 years old or older. They also recommended more stringent enforcement of existing safety measures, and called for a policy review of e-scooters to help further inform the public about the dangers of the devices, especially among children.

E-Scooter Safety Concerns

These findings join other recent studies that have highlighted the risks of using e-scooters. A study published by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) indicated roughly 25% of people hospitalized due to e-scooter injuries were under the influence of substances like alcohol, marijuana or opioids.

Earlier this year, federal safety officials announced a Segway Ninebot KickScooters recall, after determining the handlebars were prone to collapsing during use, posing a risk to riders. There have been nearly 70 reports of collapsing handlebars on the e-scooters and 20 incidents of riders suffering lacerations, abrasions, bruises and broken bones.

In late 2024, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned consumers to stop using universal e-bike and e-scooter chargers due to a fire risk. More than 150 incidents were reported of the chargers overheating and catching fire. Three people suffered burns and smoke inhalation, as well as other injuries.