In Canada, the increasing prevalence of e-scooters is accompanied by a spike in injuries, particularly affecting younger individuals, as regulations struggle to keep up with the trend. 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 witnessed a significant surge in e-scooter-related injuries, ranging from minor cuts to severe brain trauma and fatalities.
Previously rare, severe injuries are now a common occurrence, with Dr. Rosenfield noting a substantial rise in e-scooter cases at SickKids, increasing from 26 in 2023 to 46 in 2024 and 107 in 2025, with projections indicating a further escalation this year. Similarly, at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, Dr. Laurie Plotnick reports a tenfold increase in e-scooter injuries since 2023, detailing cases of children sustaining severe facial injuries, broken jaws, and traumatic brain injuries.
A recent survey conducted by the CPS revealed alarming statistics, documenting 10 fatalities, 12 intensive care unit admissions, and 26 hospitalizations exceeding two days due to e-scooter accidents over the past year, with head injuries prevalent in approximately half of the cases. Dr. Rosenfield emphasized that the majority of these incidents involved individuals not wearing helmets, with boys aged 10 to 15 years being most susceptible to severe injuries.
A separate study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal corroborates these findings, indicating a surge in e-scooter-related hospitalizations at multiple U.K. hospitals, with head injuries being a common occurrence and a low percentage of individuals wearing helmets. The lack of protective gear and the high speeds at which e-scooters can travel contribute to the severity of these injuries.
The story of Shawn Dunkley from London, Ontario, exemplifies the devastating impact of e-scooter accidents, as he suffered a fractured skull and was in a coma for over a week following a high-speed collision with a raccoon while not wearing a helmet. Despite the initial grim prognosis, Shawn made a full recovery after receiving critical care in the hospital and undergoing rehabilitation.
Dr. Rosenfield highlighted the misconception surrounding e-scooters as toys, emphasizing their potential dangers, especially considering their rapid acceleration capabilities. The CPS survey also underscored the lack of clarity in regulations across provinces and territories, contributing to the rising number of injuries among young riders who may not be well-versed in road safety.
To address these concerns, experts advocate for enhanced public education on e-scooter safety, stricter enforcement of existing laws, and clearer guidelines for manufacturers to promote safer riding practices. While acknowledging the benefits of e-scooters in urban settings, Dr. Rosenfield stresses the need to strike a balance between their utility and ensuring the safety of riders, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with e-scooter usage.