The usage of e-scooters is on the rise in Canada, bringing with it a surge in injuries, particularly among young individuals, as warned by pediatricians, emergency physicians, and experts. The regulations are struggling to keep up with this 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 various types of injuries resulting from e-scooter accidents. These injuries range from minor scrapes to severe brain trauma and even fatalities.
Previously rare, severe injuries are now becoming more frequent, with e-scooter injury cases at SickKids escalating from 26 in 2023 to 46 in 2024 and 107 in 2025. Dr. Rosenfield anticipates the numbers to surpass previous years.
At the Montreal Children’s Hospital, Dr. Laurie Plotnick, leading the emergency trauma team, noted a tenfold increase in e-scooter injuries since 2023. The injuries include severe facial trauma, broken jaws, and fractures around the eyes, with some cases resulting in severe brain injuries.
A CPS survey highlighted the concerning trend of rising injuries and fatalities among children and teens using e-scooters, emphasizing the lack of helmet use in most cases. The most severe injuries typically involve boys aged 10 to 15.
In the UK, data from hospitals in Liverpool, Manchester, and Sheffield revealed a surge in e-scooter-related cases, with head injuries being predominant and very few individuals wearing helmets.
One family’s harrowing experience in London, Ontario, showcased the dangers of e-scooters when Crystal Dunkley’s son Shawn, without a helmet, collided with a raccoon at high speed, resulting in a fractured skull and a coma. Shawn eventually recovered after a lengthy hospital stay and rehabilitation.
Experts stress the need for stringent regulations and public awareness as e-scooters are often perceived as toys but can reach high speeds quickly, leading to severe injuries. The lack of clarity in laws and varying regulations across provinces and territories poses challenges in ensuring safety while using e-scooters.
Efforts are needed to educate the public, enforce existing regulations, and advocate for clearer guidelines to make e-scooter usage safer without necessarily advocating for a ban on these devices.