The Quebec government has decided to prolong its e-scooter trial until 2028, despite concerns raised by medical professionals about the insufficiency of current regulations in safeguarding children from severe injuries.
Initially launched in 2023, the original trial permitted individuals aged 14 and above to operate e-scooters on roads with speed limits below 50 km/h and on bike paths, mandating the use of helmets at all times. These existing regulations will remain in place in addition to new restrictions set to take effect on July 18, including a maximum speed limit of 25 km/h for e-scooters. Violating this speed limit could lead to a $200 fine imposed by law enforcement.
The Transport Ministry stated that these adjustments were made following research, feedback, and consultations with various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies. Emphasizing that speed significantly impacts the severity of accidents, the ministry highlighted the rationale behind the changes in a statement to CBC.
Debbie Friedman, the director of the Montreal Children’s Hospital trauma center, highlighted the prevalence of serious e-scooter-related injuries, advocating for stricter e-scooter regulations. She underscored the gravity of injuries, such as brain trauma, abdominal trauma, facial trauma, dental injuries, fractures, lacerations, and sprains, resulting from e-scooter accidents.
Friedman expressed concern over the increasing number of children treated for e-scooter injuries, with the hospital already attending to 30 cases by mid-June this year, including critical conditions requiring intensive care, compared to a total of 80 cases treated last year.
The Montreal Children’s Hospital has persistently urged the government to implement substantial changes to e-scooter rules, particularly enforcing the age requirement, which Friedman noted is not consistently upheld. Stressing that almost 60% of children with severe injuries are under 14, she proposed raising the age limit to 16, aligning with regulations in most other Canadian provinces where e-scooters are permitted, and mandating the use of motocross helmets for enhanced safety.
Additionally, Friedman recommended applying similar regulations to e-scooters as those for mopeds, which necessitate a license for operation in Quebec, considering the shared road space with motor vehicles.
Magali Bebronne, from Vélo Québec, echoed concerns about the age restrictions, pointing out discrepancies with e-bike regulations and emphasizing the need for improved safety measures and age requirements for e-scooters to ensure a harmonious coexistence with other road users.
The Transport Ministry assured its commitment to prioritizing road safety through the e-scooter pilot project, aiming to regulate the safe use of personal motorized transportation devices and foster a harmonious relationship with other road users while raising public awareness regarding age limits and speed restrictions.
Despite these efforts, Friedman urged the government to address her apprehensions seriously and advised parents to comprehend the risks associated with e-scooter use before permitting their children to ride them, cautioning against treating e-scooters as mere toys.
In response to the rising collisions involving e-scooters and vehicles since the trial’s initiation in 2023, the Montreal police reported an increasing trend, with 18 incidents in 2023, 29 in 2024, and 48 in 2025, including one fatal collision in 2024 and several resulting in serious and minor injuries, with common contributing factors cited as inattention and failure to yield.