The rise of e-scooters in Canada is accompanied by a surge in injuries, particularly among younger individuals, prompting concerns from pediatricians, emergency physicians, and experts about the lack of adequate regulations to address the issue.
Dr. Daniel Rosenfield, a pediatric emergency physician at SickKids hospital in Toronto and chair of the injury prevention committee for the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS), has witnessed a significant increase in e-scooter-related injuries, ranging from minor cuts to severe brain trauma and fatalities. According to Rosenfield, the number of e-scooter injury cases at SickKids escalated from 26 in 2023 to 46 in 2024 and surged to 107 in 2025, with a projection for even higher numbers this year.
At the Montreal Children’s Hospital, Dr. Laurie Plotnick, who leads the hospital’s emergency trauma team, noted a tenfold increase in e-scooter injuries since 2023. Children, primarily injured without involvement from other vehicles, have suffered severe facial injuries, broken jaws, eye socket fractures, and significant brain trauma.
A recent survey conducted by the CPS among Canadian pediatric specialists highlighted alarming statistics, including 10 fatalities, 12 intensive care unit admissions, and 26 hospitalizations exceeding two days due to e-scooter accidents within a year. Approximately half of these cases involved head injuries, with the majority of individuals not wearing helmets.
The most severe injuries typically afflict boys aged 10 to 15, according to Rosenfield. Similar trends have been observed in the UK, where hospital data from Liverpool, Manchester, and Sheffield showed a substantial increase in e-scooter cases, with head injuries being prevalent and less than two percent of the injured individuals wearing helmets.
One poignant account comes from Crystal Dunkley in London, Ontario, whose son Shawn suffered a traumatic e-scooter accident, resulting in a fractured skull and a coma. Despite a grim prognosis, Shawn made a full recovery after extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
Rosenfield emphasized that e-scooters, often perceived as toys, are far from harmless due to their high speeds and risks of severe injury, especially for younger, less risk-averse individuals. The patchwork of unclear regulations across provinces and territories contributes to the lack of awareness among parents and riders, leading to a pressing need for public education, clearer rules, and better enforcement to ensure safety while using e-scooters.
While advocating for responsible e-scooter usage and acknowledging their urban mobility benefits, Rosenfield stressed the importance of establishing safety measures to mitigate the escalating injuries associated with these popular electric vehicles.