Emergency department admissions for e-scooter injuries have plummeted in Perth following the local council's decision to ban commercial rideshare devices, according to a landmark new medical study.

The City of Perth suspended e-scooter hire programs in June last year following a parliamentary inquiry sparked by the tragic death of a pedestrian. Now, fresh data reveals the dramatic safety impact of that decision.

Dramatic Drop in Trauma Cases

A study conducted by Royal Perth Hospital’s major trauma centre analyzed emergency department (ED) presentations in the periods immediately before and after the ban took effect.

Researchers found that in the 12 weeks leading up to the ban, 105 patients were admitted to the ED with e-scooter-related injuries, with eight of those cases classified as severe "major trauma."

In contrast, during the 12 weeks following the suspension of the hire programs, e-scooter-related injury presentations fell to just 39, with major trauma cases halving to four.

Medical researchers noted that while there are limitations in the data—such as distinguishing between commercial hire scooters and privately owned units—the trend strongly indicates a reduced hospital burden linked directly to the commercial ban.

Calls for Stronger Regulation

Dr. Vanessa Clayden, the WA branch chair for the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, welcomed the findings as a highly positive outcome.

"I think it's great food for thought in terms of what kinds of regulations or limits or controls we could put in place in the future so that we can try and reduce unnecessary or avoidable injury," Dr. Clayden said.

She warned that e-scooter accidents frequently cause "catastrophic" and life-altering injuries that leave victims with permanent physical impacts.

Balancing Innovation and Safety

The rapid rise of e-rideables has presented a unique challenge for local governments trying to balance eco-friendly transit options with public safety.

Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) president Mark Irwin acknowledged the popularity of the devices but urged the state to update its legal frameworks.

"While these devices offer affordable, low-emission transport options, the current regulatory framework needs to keep pace with their adoption," Mr. Irwin said.

Last year, a state government report highlighted the environmental and economic benefits of e-rideables, but families of victims argue that safety regulations are taking too long to implement.

State Nationals Deputy Leader Peter Rundle, who chaired a parliamentary inquiry into the devices last year, said the new hospital data would be invaluable for local councils contemplating similar bans.

"When you see a ban like this that's been put in place, then the result of the ban with the drop in hospital presentations… that is heartening," Mr. Rundle said.

The state government has indicated it supports, in principle, recommendations from the inquiry. Proposed measures include banning e-rideables from high-pedestrian zones, cracking down on retailers selling illegally modified high-power devices, and introducing stricter licensing requirements.

The debate comes as other major Australian capitals take similar hardline approaches, with the City of Melbourne recently implementing its own ban on rental e-scooters due to safety concerns.