E‑Scooter Injuries Surge Among Children in Austria and Germany

A study at the Graz University Hospital in Austria recorded 620 injuries involving 392 children between 2017 and 2025, including 83 % of riders without helmets. Head and neck injuries were most common, and one child died after a collision with a car. Only 17 % of the patients wore helmets, prompting calls for better protection. Austria introduced a helmet mandate for riders under 16 in May 2026 and recommends additional knee, elbow and wrist guards.

In Germany, the University Hospital Freiburg reported a 40 % rise in e‑scooter fatalities year‑on‑year, with more than half of the victims under 25. A 13‑year‑old died after a fall in Waldshut. Nationwide, 847 children were injured in 2023, three of them fatally. Health officials warn that e‑scooters are not toys, urging helmet use, sober riding, and prohibiting multiple passengers. Police noted that some scooters are being modified to exceed the 20 km/h speed limit, increasing risk.

Both countries emphasize that helmets and protective gear can markedly reduce severe head injuries among young e‑scooter users.