This series highlights practical, effective road safety initiatives from ESRC members. Each month, we showcase a project that others can learn from, adapt and build on.
Our September spotlight features the E-scooter Training Initiative, developed by Madlencnik Mobility in Austria. The project promotes the safe use of personal mobility devices (PMDs), particularly e-scooters, by combining practical training, digital learning and trainer development to improve road safety knowledge, riding skills and responsible behaviour among young road users.
Inspiration behind the initiative
The growing use of PMDs, particularly e-scooters, has created new road safety challenges across Europe. As e-scooters have become increasingly popular among younger people, accident rates have risen significantly, with many users operating them without formal training or sufficient understanding of road rules and safe riding practices. At the same time, while investment in e-mobility infrastructure continues to increase, road safety education for users of PMDs has often lagged.
These challenges highlight the need for targeted safety initiatives that equip riders with the skills and knowledge required to navigate road environments safely. The initiative was developed to address this gap by promoting responsible e-scooter use through practical training, digital learning and public awareness activities, supporting the safe integration of e-scooters into everyday mobility.
Project activities
March 2022 – December 2025 – School-based e-scooter safety training:
The initiative delivered free e-scooter safety courses in schools across Upper Austria which included training, e-scooters and safety equipment at no cost to students. Through practical two-hour training sessions, participants developed skills in safe riding techniques, traffic regulations and hazard awareness.
2024 – December 2025 - International trainer development and programme expansion:
The project integrated e-scooter safety training into Austria's national cycling instructor programme and established an international train-the-trainer course in Graz, supporting the development of certified trainers.
May 2024 – December 2025 – Public awareness and community engagement activities:
Alongside school-based training, the initiative promoted safe e-scooter use through public events and awareness campaigns. Activities included large-scale information and demonstration events such as those held in front of Vienna City Hall in 2024 in partnership with e-scooter operators. Media coverage, including reporting by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) helped raise public awareness of road safety issues and supported wider dissemination of the project's activities and results.
2024 – December 2025 – Workplace-based safety training:
To extend road safety education beyond schools, the initiative introduced e-scooter safety courses within workplace settings. Supported by funding from the Austrian General Accident Insurance Institution (AUVA), the programme provided free training opportunities for employees and encouraged safer use of e-scooters for commuting and leisure travel.
March 2022 – December 2025 – Development and deployment of digital learning tools:
The 'New Wheels of Change' learning app supported practical training through interactive modules on traffic regulations, traffic signs and safer riding behaviour. Available in five languages (German, English, Slovenian, Italian and Macedonian) the platform supports road safety education across multiple European countries.
Outcomes
- The initiative reached approximately 1,000 students through free e-scooter safety training delivered in schools across Upper Austria.
- Post-course evaluations showed that 92% of students reported feeling safer when using e-scooters, while 88% reported learning new traffic rules and riding techniques.
- More than 30 trainers from Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and North Macedonia completed the train-the-trainer programme, supporting wider delivery of e-scooter safety education across Europe.
- The initiative received external recognition through the nomination of one of its e-scooter safety courses for the KFV Road Safety Award AQUILA 2025.
Challenges
- Delivering free e-scooter safety training across multiple schools required significant logistical coordination of equipment, helmets and qualified trainers. This was addressed through the establishment of mobile training teams and a dedicated e-scooter trainer training programme.
- Expanding the initiative internationally required adaption to different national regulations, language requirements and approaches to e-scooter safety education, in the absence of common European training standards. As a result, training concepts and educational materials were continuously reviewed and adapted to local contexts.
- The development of the ‘New Wheels of Change’ app required content to be adapted across five languages while also reflecting country-specific traffic rules and road safety requirements to ensure its relevance in different national contexts.
Why this initiative has been recognised as Good Practice of the Month
This initiative addresses a growing road safety challenge associated with the increasing use of personal mobility devices, particularly e-scooters, among young people. A combination of practical training, digital learning and trainer development helps equip users with the skills and knowledge needed to use e-scooters safely in real traffic environments. Its strength lies in delivering road safety education directly through schools and other community settings, making participation accessible and relevant to target groups. By integrating hands-on learning with multilingual digital resources and a train-the-trainer model, the initiative supports long-term behavioural change.
For more information
Read more about the project and explore its activities and outcomes here.
Interested in developing a similar national strategy?
Contact the project lead, Werner Madlencnik: office@mamob.at
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