Epidemiology of injured e-scooter riders at a major trauma service - the who, what, where and when?

Abstract

Background: E-scooter associated injury patterns are well described, but less is known about the riders. This study describes the epidemiological characteristics of injured riders with the aim of providing information for preventative strategies.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data on admissions (2021) and all hospital presentations (2022-2023) to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, due to injury in a rider of an e-scooter. Data collected were demographics (age, gender, postcode), drug and alcohol usage, helmet usage, circumstances of injury (how, where and when), reported speed, and insurance status. Data was analysed with multiple cross tabulations using two-sided Fischer's exact test.

Results: Over the 3 years 562 cases were identified, with a median age 29 years (IQR 23-40), 383 (68.5%) were male. Alcohol (29.5%) and drug (10.9%) usage were prevalent. The majority (70.4%) "fell off" without collision, 274 were admitted, and 9.6% were major trauma. Alcohol usage was more likely seen in men (P = 0.006), in major trauma (P = 0.02) but showed no association with age. Speed over 20 km/h was seen in 38.5% when recorded and associated with drug usage and major trauma status but not alcohol. Medicare ineligibility patients (12.1%) were younger, more likely to be female (P = 0.012) and less likely to use drugs (P = 0.001) and alcohol (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: This hospital level data of injured e-scooter riders has shown high prevalence of alcohol and drug usage and speeding, all of which were associated with more severe injury, and are hence prime targets for injury prevention.