As the use of e-scooters becomes more widespread in Canada, medical professionals are raising concerns about a surge in injuries, particularly among younger individuals, as regulations struggle to keep up. 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 various types of injuries resulting from e-scooter accidents, ranging from minor cuts to severe brain trauma and fatalities.
Previously rare, severe injuries are now a common occurrence, with e-scooter injury cases at SickKids escalating from 26 in 2023 to 46 in 2024 and 107 in 2025, according to Rosenfield. The trend indicates a likelihood of surpassing those numbers this year.
Similarly, at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, e-scooter-related injuries have surged tenfold since 2023, with Dr. Laurie Plotnick, who heads the hospital’s emergency trauma team, noting cases of severe facial injuries, broken jaws, and other significant injuries among children.
A recent survey conducted among Canadian pediatric specialists revealed alarming statistics, documenting 10 deaths, 12 ICU admissions, and 26 hospitalizations lasting over two days due to e-scooter accidents in the past year. Approximately half of these cases involved head injuries, with the majority of individuals not wearing helmets.
The most severe injuries predominantly affected boys aged between 10 and 15, with hospital data from the UK showing a similar pattern. The study showcased a rise in e-scooter-related cases at hospitals in Liverpool, Manchester, and Sheffield from under 10 in 2019 to nearly 150 in 2024, with head injuries being prevalent and a low percentage of individuals wearing helmets.
One poignant case in London, Ontario, involved a 12-year-old boy named Shawn who sustained a fractured skull and was in a coma for over a week after an e-scooter accident. Despite a challenging recovery process, Shawn eventually regained full health, underscoring the importance of wearing helmets while using e-scooters.
The lack of clear regulations and varying laws across provinces and territories has exacerbated the situation, with many parents and young riders unaware of the rules. There is a call for enhanced public education, clearer messaging from manufacturers, and stricter enforcement to address the growing safety concerns surrounding e-scooter usage among children and teens.
While recognizing the benefits of e-scooters in urban settings, experts emphasize the need to prioritize safety and implement measures to prevent further injuries, rather than advocating for a complete ban on these devices.