Children Account for One-Third of E-Scooter Fatalities in Australia

Recent analyses reveal a alarming trend in e-scooter-related fatalities across Australia, where approximately 33% of these tragic deaths involve children under 18. Despite regulations prohibiting children under 16 from legally riding e-scooters and most rental companies restricting minors, data collected from news reports indicates that children are disproportionately affected. From January 2020 to July 2025, 37 fatal incidents linked to e-scooter use were identified, with 13 involving minors. Notably, most child fatalities resulted from collisions with other vehicles like cars and trucks, whereas adult fatalities more often involved single-vehicle accidents such as falls. The rising number of e-scooter deaths over recent years, especially in Queensland where adoption is high, underscores the increased danger faced by young riders. International studies corroborate these findings, showing that children suffer injuries at twice their population share, highlighting the significant risk gap. Factors contributing to their vulnerability include poor hazard perception, smaller size making them less visible to drivers, and higher speeds that can cause severe harm. Regulatory inconsistencies and marketing targeting children exacerbate the problem, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement and safer riding policies. Ultimately, the data illustrates that children are at a heightened risk on shared public roads, where the danger posed by faster, larger vehicles is significant. Protecting children from e-scooter fatalities requires a reevaluation of current safety measures and a focus on preventing minors from riding in hazardous environments.