The rise of e-scooters in Canada is accompanied by a concerning surge in injuries, particularly affecting younger individuals, as regulations struggle to keep up with the trend. 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 observed a significant increase in e-scooter-related injuries, ranging from minor wounds to severe brain trauma and fatalities.
Injuries from e-scooter accidents at SickKids escalated from 26 cases in 2023 to 46 in 2024 and spiked to 107 in 2025, with projections indicating a further increase. Similarly, at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, Dr. Laurie Plotnick noted a tenfold rise in e-scooter injuries since 2023. These incidents often involve children sustaining severe facial injuries, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries.
A CPS survey of Canadian pediatric specialists revealed alarming statistics, citing 10 fatalities, 12 ICU admissions, and 26 hospitalizations lasting over two days due to e-scooter accidents in the previous year. Head injuries were prevalent in approximately half of these cases, with the majority of victims not wearing helmets. Most severe injuries tended to affect boys aged between 10 and 15 years.
The situation in Canada aligns with a study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal, which reported a significant increase in e-scooter cases at hospitals in the U.K. The study highlighted a rise from fewer than 10 cases in 2019 to nearly 150 in 2024, with head injuries being predominant and a low percentage of riders wearing helmets.
One poignant example from London, Ontario, illustrates the severity of e-scooter accidents, where a 12-year-old boy suffered a fractured skull and was admitted to the Pediatric Critical Care Unit after colliding with a raccoon at high speed. Despite a grim prognosis, the boy made a full recovery after extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
Dr. Rosenfield emphasized the misconception of e-scooters as toys, emphasizing their high speeds and potential dangers. He highlighted the need for clearer regulations and public education to address the risks posed by these devices, especially for younger riders who may be less aware of road safety rules. Implementing effective measures, such as age restrictions, speed limits, and mandatory helmet use, is crucial to mitigate the escalating trend of e-scooter injuries.
