E-scooter accidents rise sharply across Austria and Germany

E-scooter accidents are rising sharply across Europe, particularly in Austria and Germany. In Austria, the number of accidents involving personal injury increased by 56 percent over two years, reaching 2,749 incidents in 2025. The ÖAMTC reports that these accidents often result in severe head, face, and chest injuries, especially when riders are under the influence of alcohol, which impairs the protective reflexes typically used to break a fall.

In Germany, data from the Federal Statistical Office shows a similar trend, with over 16,000 accidents involving personal injury in 2025. The number of injured e-scooter users has nearly tripled in four years. The ADAC notes that children and teenagers aged 10 to 18 are disproportionately affected. Common causes include improper use of lanes, excessive speed, riding with multiple passengers, and alcohol consumption.

In Denmark, the Danish Road Directorate reported 218 accidents involving e-scooters between 2020 and 2025, with 56 occurring in the Central Jutland region. Due to the high risk of severe injury, the ÖAMTC is calling for a mandatory helmet law for all e-scooter riders in Austria to mitigate the impact of falls.