The use of e-scooters is on the rise in Canada, but along with their popularity comes a concerning increase in injuries, particularly among younger individuals, according to pediatricians, emergency physicians, and other experts. 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 witnessed a significant surge in various types of injuries resulting from e-scooter accidents, ranging from minor cuts to severe brain trauma and fatalities.
Previously rare, severe injuries from e-scooter incidents have become more frequent, with cases at SickKids escalating from 26 in 2023 to 46 in 2024 and 107 in 2025, according to Rosenfield. The trend suggests that the numbers for the current year are likely to surpass previous records.
Similarly, at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, Dr. Laurie Plotnick, leading the emergency trauma team, reported a tenfold increase in e-scooter injuries since 2023. These injuries, often occurring without involvement from other vehicles, have led to severe facial trauma, including broken jaws and bones around the eyes, as well as critical brain injuries.
A recent CPS survey highlighted the alarming impact of e-scooter crashes in Canada, documenting 10 fatalities, 12 intensive care unit admissions, and 26 hospitalizations lasting over two days in the past year. Head injuries were prevalent in approximately half of these cases, with the majority of individuals involved not wearing helmets.
The severe injuries predominantly affect boys aged between 10 and 15 years. A study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal revealed a similar pattern in the UK, where e-scooter-related hospital cases surged from less than 10 in 2019 to nearly 150 in 2024, with head injuries being among the most severe, and helmet usage below two percent.
One such case in London, Ontario, involved Crystal Dunkley’s son Shawn, who sustained a fractured skull and brain injury while riding an e-scooter at a high speed without a helmet. Shawn’s recovery after a coma and hospitalization underscored the critical need for safety measures, including helmet use, especially among young riders.
Experts emphasize the urgency for clearer regulations and improved enforcement to address the growing e-scooter safety concerns. They highlight the need for public education, parental awareness, and collaboration with manufacturers to enhance safety standards while acknowledging the benefits of e-scooters in urban settings and transportation systems.