Public health consequences of electric scooters for young people and adults - Effects on active mobility and accidents

The use of electric scooters primarily replaces walking, followed by public transport. The reduced active mobility for young people can be quantified at around two minutes of moderate physical activity per person per day. The risk of an accident is 5 to 7 times greater with an electric scooter than with a bicycle, and this is somewhat higher among young people than among adults. Rented electric scooters replace somewhat more active mobility than privately owned ones, and also have a significantly higher risk of accidents. The overall public health consequences of electric scooters are not possible to quantify, but are expected to be negative, even if increased social participation and mobility are taken into account.