The popularity of e-scooters is on the rise in Canada, but with this trend comes a concerning increase in injuries, particularly among young individuals, as regulations struggle to keep up. Dr. Daniel Rosenfield, a pediatric emergency physician at SickKids hospital in Toronto and the chair of the injury prevention committee for the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS), has witnessed a significant surge in e-scooter-related injuries, ranging from minor scrapes to severe brain injuries and fatalities.
Previously rare, severe injuries from e-scooter accidents are now becoming more common, with a notable escalation in cases at SickKids hospital from 26 in 2023 to 107 in 2025. Dr. Rosenfield anticipates that this year will see even higher numbers. Similarly, at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, the rate of e-scooter injuries has spiked tenfold since 2023, according to Dr. Laurie Plotnick, who leads the hospital’s emergency trauma team.
A recent CPS survey highlighted the alarming impact of e-scooter accidents, documenting 10 deaths, 12 ICU admissions, and 26 hospitalizations lasting over two days in the past year, with head injuries prevalent in approximately half of the cases. Most concerning is that the majority of individuals involved in these incidents were not wearing helmets.
The severity of injuries is particularly pronounced among boys aged 10 to 15, as highlighted by Dr. Rosenfield. A study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal also revealed an increase in e-scooter-related cases in U.K. hospitals, with head injuries being among the most severe, and less than two percent of those injured were wearing helmets.
One harrowing personal account from London, Ont., involved Crystal Dunkley’s son, Shawn, who sustained a fractured skull and was admitted to the Pediatric Critical Care Unit after an e-scooter accident. Shawn’s recovery, after spending over a month in the hospital, serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with e-scooter use.
While e-scooters can offer a convenient mode of transportation, the lack of clear regulations and varying rules across provinces and territories pose challenges. Dr. Rosenfield emphasizes the need for public education, parental awareness, and improved enforcement to address the growing safety concerns associated with e-scooter usage. He advocates for finding a balance between the practical benefits of e-scooters and ensuring the safety of riders through effective measures and regulation.