Darwin’s e-scooter hiring trial will continue, despite concerns about the injury rate. 

Scooter hire company Neuron Mobility applied for a 12 month trial extension to its scooter-hiring trial, which was approved by the City of Darwin in November.

The company claims there have been about one-and-a-half accidents needing medical attention for every 100,000km travelled, which would equate to about 12 injuries over the trial period so far. 

However, Australian Medical Association NT branch president Rob Parker said up to five people are presenting to Royal Darwin Hospital with “quite serious” e-scooter injuries each weekend.

Official stats suggest paramedics attended 74 e-scooter incidents in the first year of having Neuron e-scooters on the streets of Darwin,, however, that figure also includes private scooter accidents.

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the council does not receive data about accidents, but extended the e-scooter trial anyway.

“There are a number of people who have their own private scooters, and certainly they probably would have accidents,” he said. 

Neuron admits that its figures are likely to be an underestimate, as some incidents may not have been reported because they were minor or riders “may have not been following the riding rules and so they are less keen to report the incident”.

Andrew Everingham from St John Ambulance said the majority of the e-scooter injuries happened at night.

“The majority of injuries are to the head/face,” he said in a statement.

“St John NT recognises that e-scooters are a fun way for families and friends to explore Darwin, however there is potential for serious injuries if riders ignore necessary precautions.

“It is important that people not use the scooters while intoxicated and always keep a respectful distance between pedestrians and other vehicles. Wearing a helmet is also crucially important to protect against injuries.”

Mr Vatskalis says he thought locals would work out how to ride.

“We always assume the people using the scooters will actually behave. If you behave, you follow the rules, you are very unlikely to have an injury,” he said.

“We do not expect the injuries because we believe that people will take personal responsibility seriously and will follow the rules and the law of the country.”

An NT Health spokesperson has confirmed that a study of e-scooter injuries has been launched.

“In a joint project between both Royal Darwin and Palmerston regional hospital campuses and the RDH Trauma Service at the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, a study is being undertaken to track e-scooter-related accidents,” the spokesperson said.

“The results of this study will provide valuable information and evidence towards preventing avoidable presentations in Top End hospitals.

“Data collection to inform this project will continue into the middle of the year and will be followed by analysis.”