Home / Disasters and Accidents / Melbourne E-Scooter Trial: 500+ Injuries Reported
Melbourne E-Scooter Trial: 500+ Injuries Reported
24 Jan
Summary
- Over 500 injuries reported in Melbourne's e-scooter trial.
- 17 serious injuries and one life-threatening case occurred.
- Pedestrians accounted for 37 of the reported injuries.
Melbourne's extensive two-and-a-half-year e-scooter trial concluded abruptly in August 2026, following reports of over 500 injuries. Data revealed 17 serious injuries and one life-threatening incident involving hired scooters from Lime and Neuron. Pedestrians were also impacted, sustaining 37 injuries from collisions with riders.
The City of Melbourne cancelled its contract, with the Lord Mayor stating scooters caused 'havoc' on CBD footpaths. While the state government legalized hire and private e-scooters in July 2026, it withheld injury data until a freedom-of-information request revealed the extent of incidents. Lime and Neuron received 558 injury reports between February 2022 and August 2026 across three council areas.
Despite these figures, Lime and Neuron maintain their scooters are a safe transport option, citing 9.4 million trips with a 99.994% safety rate. However, individual cases, like Julia Miller's, highlight long-lasting harm. Lawyers also point to insurance gaps for injured third parties, advocating for mandatory TAC registration for e-scooters.
The City of Port Phillip continues its partnership with Lime and Neuron, citing responsible usage and safety measures. Victoria Walks urges caution, emphasizing the need for strict rules on footpaths and better infrastructure before any expansion of hire schemes.
