Amid the increasing prevalence of e-scooters in Canada, healthcare professionals are sounding the alarm on a surge in injuries, particularly among younger individuals. 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 uptick in various types of injuries resulting from e-scooter accidents, ranging from minor cuts to severe brain trauma and fatalities.
In the past, severe e-scooter injuries were rare occurrences, but now hospitals are seeing a rise in such cases. At SickKids hospital, e-scooter injury cases escalated from 26 in 2023 to 46 in 2024 and 107 in 2025, with projections indicating a further increase this year.
Similarly, the Montreal Children’s Hospital has observed a tenfold increase in e-scooter injuries since 2023. Dr. Laurie Plotnick, head of the hospital’s emergency trauma team, highlighted the prevalence of severe facial injuries, broken jaws, and brain trauma among children involved in e-scooter accidents.
A recent survey conducted by the CPS revealed concerning statistics, including 10 fatalities, 12 ICU admissions, and 26 hospitalizations lasting over two days due to e-scooter crashes in the past year. Head injuries were predominant in nearly half of these cases, with the majority of individuals not wearing helmets.
The most severe injuries often affect boys aged 10 to 15 years. Data from UK hospitals aligns with the Canadian situation, showing a substantial increase in e-scooter-related hospital cases and a low percentage of riders wearing helmets.
One poignant case involved Crystal Dunkley’s son, Shawn, who sustained critical injuries in an e-scooter accident in London, Ontario. Despite a serious brain injury and coma, Shawn made a full recovery after extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
Healthcare providers stress that e-scooters are not toys and emphasize the need for clearer regulations, public education, and enforcement to mitigate risks associated with their usage. While recognizing the benefits of e-scooters in urban settings, experts advocate for measures to enhance safety and prevent avoidable injuries.