Only a few e-scooter drivers wear a helmet-diepresse.com

40 percent of cyclists and twelve percent of e-scooter users in Austria use a helmet. This was the result of a current ÖAMTC survey in the state capitals, for which 14,856 people were observed. There are differences not only between types of vehicle, but also in terms of region, age and route. In Linz, the bicycle helmet rate was the highest with 62 percent, in St. Pölten (16 percent) the lowest, it said in a broadcast on Thursday.

The survey was carried out in March and April 2025 at locations of inner -city everyday bike traffic as well as routes of the tourist and leisure cycling in the state capitals. The analysis shows a significant discrepancy between the types of vehicle: 37 percent were held among classic cyclists, 55 percent for e-bikers. For e-scooter drivers, the quota is significantly lower with twelve percent, with rental scooter users it is « de facto at zero, » said ÖAMTC traffic technician David Nosé. On the other hand, young parents with e-cargo bicycles and children who were very often traveling with a helmet were positive. However, there were hardly any differences between women and men, said Nosé.

More helmets on leisure routes

There were big differences in the regional comparison: the highest was the helmet trail quota of cyclists in Linz (62 percent) before Vienna (51 percent) and Bregenz (47 percent). In Salzburg and Graz there were a little more 40 percent with head protection, in Eisenstadt (30 percent), Innsbruck (21 percent), Klagenfurt (20 percent) and St. Pölten (16 percent).

The gradation also depends on the locations where the observation was carried out, says Nosé. In Linz, for example, many were on the Danube area by bike and wore a helmet, in the inner -city area there were more people without head protection. The type of route plays an important role in the Helmtragequote: on leisure routes, where people usually do sports, have more a helmet than on everyday routes. Nosé suspects that helmets are perceived as a hindrance on the way to business or office appointments than on private paths or bike tours. Aspects such as the time of day, age and funding initiatives would also affect the helmet trage quota.

Young and seniors rather helmet muffle

The fact that the use of helmets is also different in age groups can be clearly seen from the accident statistics for 2023: 34 percent of the died 15- to 24-year-old cyclists have a helmet, among the elderly over 85 years. 55- to 74-year-olds most often do this with 55 percent. Overall, the number of accidents with personal losses with the participation of cycling and e-bike drivers rose by 42 percent in the past ten years according to the statistics Austria, sole accidents such as falls increased by 112 percent.

The ÖAMTC calls for a holistic approach to increase the safety of cycling, e-bike and e-scooter drivers. The infrastructure must go hand in hand with the rising bicycle traffic, it said. The ÖAMTC also advises to wear a helmet. In the broadcast, it is also referred to a recently published OGH judgment that reductions in pain deposits can also be striking for e-bike travelers if they have not worn a helmet. (APA)