Swedish minister considers age limit as e-scooter injuries surge

Sweden recorded an average of 17 daily injuries from e-scooter accidents last year, with a 38% rise in total incidents compared to 2024, according to figures released Thursday by the Swedish Transport Agency.

The data shows 6,398 people were injured and seven killed in e-scooter crashes in 2025, with injuries among those aged 0–24 increasing by over 43%. Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson (Christian Democrats) called the trend “deeply concerning” and did not rule out introducing an age restriction, currently absent in Sweden.

“Many young people—and children—are using these vehicles, so we’re seeing more pediatric trauma cases,” said Robin Österberg, head of trauma and acute surgery at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm. He noted that victims often suffer multiple severe injuries simultaneously, with single-vehicle crashes and collisions with motor vehicles the most common causes.

A new report by the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) found that Sweden remains an outlier in the Nordics by lacking an age limit for e-scooter use. Norway sets the minimum age at 12, while Denmark and Finland require riders to be at least 15. However, VTI stated that no clear link exists between age restrictions and improved traffic safety.

Carlson will host a Nordic meeting this Sunday to discuss potential measures, including whether to adopt age limits similar to those in neighboring countries. “I will examine whether these rules have had positive effects elsewhere,” he told public broadcaster SVT.

Österberg warned that public awareness of e-scooter risks remains insufficient. “These vehicles are still a relatively new presence in traffic, and not everyone anticipates encountering them,” he said. Carlson emphasized the need for “better compliance with regulations, increased knowledge, and continued action to reduce risks,” while stressing that e-scooters should offer both convenience and safety.