E-scooters are becoming more prevalent in Canada, but with their rise in popularity comes a concerning trend of increasing injuries, particularly among young people, 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 observed a significant surge in all types of e-scooter-related injuries, ranging from minor cuts to severe brain trauma and fatalities.
Previously rare, severe injuries are now more common, with cases at SickKids escalating from 26 in 2023 to 46 in 2024 and a staggering 107 in 2025, and the numbers are projected to surpass previous records this year. Dr. Laurie Plotnick from the Montreal Children’s Hospital reported a tenfold increase in e-scooter injuries since 2023, with children sustaining severe facial injuries, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries.
A recent CPS survey highlighted the severity of the situation, documenting 10 deaths, 12 ICU admissions, and 26 hospitalizations lasting over two days due to e-scooter accidents over the past year, with head injuries prevalent in half of the cases. Most of these incidents involved riders without helmets, and the most severe injuries typically affected boys aged 10 to 15.
In the UK, hospital data from Liverpool, Manchester, and Sheffield showed a similar spike in e-scooter injuries, with head injuries being among the most severe, and less than two percent of the injured riders wearing helmets. These findings align with the experiences of Canadian families, such as Crystal Dunkley’s son Shawn, who suffered a fractured skull and was in a coma for over a week after an e-scooter accident in London, Ontario.
The lack of clear regulations and patchwork laws surrounding e-scooters has contributed to the escalating injuries, with younger riders at higher risk due to their limited road experience and risk-taking behavior. Many parents are unaware of the rules in their provinces or cities, leading to confusion and non-compliance with existing regulations.
While e-scooters offer benefits in urban settings, including reducing traffic congestion and complementing public transit, experts emphasize the need for public education, clearer regulations, and better enforcement to ensure rider safety. Dr. Rosenfield stresses the importance of finding a balance between the utility of e-scooters and ensuring their safe usage in the community.