The increasing prevalence of e-scooters in Canada is accompanied by a surge in injuries, particularly affecting younger individuals, according to pediatricians, emergency physicians, and experts. Dr. Daniel Rosenfield, a pediatric emergency physician at SickKids hospital in Toronto and head of the injury prevention committee for the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS), has observed a significant rise 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 a notable increase in e-scooter-related cases at medical facilities. E-scooter injury cases at SickKids escalated from 26 in 2023 to 46 in 2024 and 107 in 2025, with projections indicating a further rise this year. Similarly, at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, e-scooter injuries have multiplied tenfold since 2023, as noted by Dr. Laurie Plotnick, who leads the hospital’s emergency trauma team.
A recent survey conducted by the Canadian Pediatric Society revealed alarming statistics, documenting 10 fatalities, 12 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and 26 hospitalizations lasting over two days due to e-scooter crashes over the past year. Head injuries were prevalent in approximately half of these cases, with the majority of individuals involved failing to wear helmets.
The most severe injuries typically affected boys aged between 10 and 15 years. A study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal corroborates the Canadian experience, showing a significant spike in e-scooter cases at UK hospitals. Head injuries were among the most severe, with less than two percent of those injured wearing helmets.
One poignant example from London, Ontario, showcases the dire consequences of e-scooter accidents. Crystal Dunkley’s son Shawn, aged 12 at the time, suffered a fractured skull and was admitted to the Pediatric Critical Care Unit following a high-speed e-scooter collision. Despite the initial severity of his injuries, Shawn made a full recovery after extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
Dr. Rosenfield emphasized the misconception of e-scooters as toys, highlighting their potential danger given their speed capabilities. The CPS survey underscored the lack of clarity in existing regulations and the need for enhanced public education, parental awareness, and stricter enforcement to address the growing e-scooter safety concerns. While advocating for the utility of e-scooters in urban settings, Dr. Rosenfield stressed the importance of ensuring their safe usage through improved regulations and awareness campaigns.