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Introduction: The purpose of this study is to review whether legislative change enforcing safer riding conditions for Electric Scooters (E‐Scooter), regardless of other factors, had an impact on reducing significant head, facial and neck trauma. Additionally, to identify the radiological injury patterns for head, face and neck injuries identified on CT imaging for a patient's initial presentation to the emergency department (ED) resulting from an E‐Scooter accident. Methods: A retrospective single‐centre observational study at a metropolitan tertiary ED of patients presenting after an E‐Scooter accident comparing 6 months before and after legislative change. Results: Four hundred and forty‐three patients presented following an E‐Scooter accident: 191 patients 6 months before and 252 patients 6 months after legislative change. One hundred and sixty‐two patients pre‐ and 217 patients post‐legislative change had negative CT studies. Twenty‐nine patients pre‐ and 35 patients post‐legislative change had CT studies demonstrating significant head, face or neck trauma. The most common type of intracranial bleeding was subarachnoid haemorrhage followed by subdural haemorrhage with a significant proportion (41%) presenting with multi‐factorial intracranial bleeding. There was no specific injury pattern involving the cranial vault or cervical spine. Of the patients presenting with a significant injury, facial bones were the most common injury site (84% (n = 54)). The most common site of facial fractures was the nasal bones followed by dental trauma and maxillary fractures. Conclusion: This single‐centre, retrospective observational study has shown no reduction in serious head, neck and facial injuries. Large‐scale, multicentre studies will need to be undertaken to understand the true impact of legislative change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: E‐scooters are sought after for their cost‐effectiveness, sustainability, and efficiency in urban transportation. However, this popularity has been accompanied by a surge in injuries, prompting a deeper investigation into the factors influencing risk perceptions among e‐scooter users. Methods: Using a qualitative approach, we conducted 19 interviews with those who attended an emergency department as a result of e‐scooter injury. We aimed to understand the psychosocial effects of these incidents and employed thematic analysis to discern recurrent patterns in participants' experiences, focusing on alterations in daily life, community response, perception shifts, and avenues to enhance safety awareness. Results: The findings underscored significant disruptions to daily life due to injuries, demonstrating enduring impacts on lifestyle and wellbeing. Participants exhibited a perceptual shift, transitioning from perceiving e‐scooters as enjoyable to viewing them as dangerous. Recommendations for enhancing safety awareness included accessible and clear safety education, pre‐ride briefings, real‐time safety guidance, temporal rental restrictions, and mandatory breathalysers before e‐scooter use. Conclusions: The study underscores the importance of considering not only the individual experiences and perceptions of e‐scooter injuries but also the broader social context, including the night‐time economy. Leveraging peer narratives and community engagement is vital to reshape risk perceptions and promote harm reduction messages. So What?: A comprehensive approach through proactive interventions and robust educational strategies is essential to foster responsible e‐scooter usage and prioritise public safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusion The rise in popularity of ride share e‐scooters has led to an increase in the number of e‐scooter injuries, with existing literature reporting increases in rates of admission by more than 350%. In April 2023, the Broome Shire signed a contract to provide 300 e‐scooters as part of a shared micro mobility platform. This study aimed to describe the demographics, clinical presentation and health system utilization of patients presenting with e‐scooter‐related injuries at Broome Regional Hospital (BRH).A retrospective cohort study examined all e‐scooter‐related injuries presenting to BRH between April 1st 2023 and April 30th 2024. Patients with e‐scooter injuries described in their Emergency Department (ED) electronic triage records were included. Data was collected from chart review.A total of 190 patients were identified as having sustained an e‐scooter injuries over the 12‐month trial period. The median age was 26 years with equal numbers of males and females. Most injuries occurred between 6 pm and 12 am (28%) with 53% of patients reporting being intoxicated, while 75% were not wearing a helmet. Almost all patients (80%) were managed in the emergency department because of the low severity of their injuries. Of the remaining patients, 22 were admitted, with 16 transferred for tertiary‐level operative management.The introduction of e‐scooters for shared micromobility represents a new cause of trauma related presentations to BRH. Our study's results have raised awareness regarding the incidence and severity of electric scooter injuries in Broome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The proliferation of electric scooters globally has been associated with an increase in related injuries and consequent economic burden. This study aims to assess the injury patterns and the economic impact associated with electric scooter use in Melbourne, Australia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using hospital and registry data from January 2022 to January 2023. Data collected included demographic details, alcohol and helmet use, injury type and severity, operative treatment provided, and direct medical costs. The economic impact (in AUD) of the patient's emergency presentation and hospital admission was calculated. Results: During the study period, 256 electric scooter related injuries were recorded, comprising 247 riders and nine pedestrians. The majority of patients were males (69%) with a median age of 29.5 (15–78). Alcohol use was reported by 34% and helmet use by 33%. Injuries most commonly affected the upper limb (53%) and head (50%), with abrasions (75%) and fractures (48%) being the most common type of injury sustained. The total hospital cost was $1 911 062, and the median cost was $1321.66 per patient (IQR: $479.37–$5096.65). Conclusion: Electric scooter usage, as observed through patient presentations to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, is associated with a considerable number of injuries, primarily among young males, and an ensuing substantial economic burden. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved safety measures to minimize electric scooter‐related injuries and their clinical and economic repercussions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric micromobility (e‐micromobility) offers the potential to enhance the sustainability of first‐ and last‐mile journeys in urban areas by reducing the number of private vehicle trips. As a new mode of transport, it is imperative that it is not subject to the same male bias that has been evidenced across our existing transport networks. An in‐depth qualitative study was conducted with 24 UK participants (12 females) to assess the gender factors that relate to the incentives and barriers of e‐micromobility (electric bike and electric scooter) use. Focus groups and interviews were conducted and the data analysis was disaggregated by gender to reveal the differences and similarities between female and male perspectives on e‐micromobility use. Differences in the types of trips made and perceptions of fear were prevalent. Key gender‐related findings and recommendations are made. By reviewing, and acting upon, the different perspectives that males and females have towards e‐micromobility they can be made more inclusive for all. This can enhance their uptake and reduce the dependence on private vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Electric scooters (e‐Scooters) are a form of motorized vehicle that offers cheap, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation. Increased e‐Scooter utilization has been accompanied by increases in e‐Scooter related injuries in multiple countries. This project describes the incidence, injury pattern, injury severity and patient factors associated with e‐Scooter use from the Western Australian State Trauma Registry. Methods: Retrospective cohort of all trauma patients captured by the Western Australian State Trauma Registry between 01 July 2017 and 30 June 2022 were analysed. Patient demographics, helmet use, reported drug use, and injury details (including principal and additional diagnoses, ISS) were collected. Results: Eighty‐one patients sustained e‐Scooter related injuries between 2017 and 2022. Fifty‐four (66%) of hospital admissions were recorded in 2021–2022, an annual percent change of 385.7% from the previous year. Most patients were male (80%). Median age was 40 years (IQR: 32–50). Helmet use was reported in 43% of patients. Helmet use was associated with a significantly lower odds of head injury (OR = 4.42, CI: 1.38–14.21; P = 0.01). Thirty‐five percent of patients were intoxicated with either alcohol or drugs. Forty‐four (54%) patients required surgery. Conclusion: E‐Scooter crashes are a new mechanism of injury affecting patients captured by the Western Australian State Trauma Registry. Helmet use correlated with a reduced risk of head injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Standing electric scooters (e‐scooters) are a cost‐effective and environmentally‐friendly transport alternative, but also elicit substantial concern regarding associated craniofacial injuries. This study aims to describe the patient factors, procedural factors and post‐operative outcomes of maxillofacial fractures caused by e‐scooter accidents. Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients aged 18 years or older who were surgically treated for these injuries in 2014–2020 at two Australian tertiary hospitals. Results: There were 18 cases included. Most cases were male (66%). The mean age was 35 years. Common risk factors were alcohol use (86%) and lack of helmet use (62%). The most common fracture pattern was zygomatico‐maxillary complex (ZMC) fractures (50%). There were no associated systemic injuries. Mean operation timing was 12 days post‐injury for ZMC fractures and 3 days post‐injury for condyle fractures. For ZMC fractures, the most common method of fixation was 2‐point fixation (66%). For condyle fractures, the most common surgical approach was arch bars only (83%). Post‐operative complications were reported in six cases, with malocclusion being the most common (n = 3). Revision surgeries were performed in two cases. Conclusions: Maxillofacial fractures associated with e‐scooter accidents appear to be increasing in incidence. Robust longitudinal evaluations with larger sample sizes are required to better understand associated presentations, surgical approaches and post‐operative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shared micromobility, in the form of e‐scooter sharing systems, was introduced to New Zealand (NZ) in late 2018 without a consistent national regulatory framework. This article reflects on the relationship between potential scooter‐share regulations and ridership. Examples of scooter‐share regulations overseas and existing research into similar bicycle‐ and moped‐sharing systems were synthesised into a framework for analysis. Results from an online survey in NZ suggested that regulations governing user behaviour have a negative effect on scooter‐share usage. They also indicated that micromobility technology in the right regulatory environment may offer social, environmental, and transport equity benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Since the introduction of a shared e-scooter service to Auckland in October there have been multiple media reports of associated injuries, but no quantitation of the number or severity of these injuries, or the impact on hospital emergency department services in Auckland.Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review on all patients referred to Auckland hospital ED radiology with the indication containing 'e-scooter' between 15 August 2018 and 15 December 2018. All requests were screened to ensure that the injury was caused by an e-scooter. Recorded data included patient demographics, type of imaging utilised, injury type, and whether admission or surgery was required.Results: Sixty-four patients met the inclusion criteria, only one of these was prior to introduction of shared e-scooters on 15 October 2018. Of these, there were 27 limb fractures, 3 dislocations, a fractured spine, 12 patients with concussion, 1 extra-dural bleed, 9 facial/skull fractures and multiple soft tissue injuries. Almost 40% of the patients required admission to a specialty service following imaging, and 25.4% required surgery. A total of 221 plain films and 47 CT scans were performed for e-scooter injuries in the 2-month period after their introduction.Conclusion: Introduction of shared e-scooters has resulted in a large number of serious related injuries that have required urgent radiology imaging. Many of these patients required further specialist consultation or surgery, and place an increased burden on overstretched emergency department services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]