E-scooter injuries are on the rise in Canada, with pediatricians and emergency physicians raising concerns about the increasing number of severe incidents involving 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 noted a significant surge in various types of injuries resulting from e-scooter accidents, ranging from minor scrapes to serious brain injuries and fatalities.
Previously rare, severe injuries are now becoming more common, with Rosenfield mentioning that they are now prepared for severe injuries whenever they receive a call about an “e-scooter trauma inbound.” At SickKids hospital, e-scooter injury cases have escalated from 26 in 2023 to 46 in 2024 and 107 in 2025, with numbers expected to surpass previous years.
A recent CPS survey conducted among Canadian pediatric specialists revealed concerning statistics over the past year, including 10 deaths, 12 ICU admissions, and 26 hospitalizations lasting more than two days due to e-scooter accidents. Head injuries were prevalent in about half of these cases, with the majority of those injured reported as not wearing helmets.
The survey highlighted that the most severe injuries typically involved boys aged 10 to 15. A separate study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal provided data from U.K. hospitals showing a significant increase in e-scooter-related cases, with head injuries being among the most severe, and less than two percent of those injured wearing helmets.
In a striking personal account, Crystal Dunkley shared the story of her son Shaun, who suffered a traumatic e-scooter accident in London, Ontario. Shaun, not wearing a helmet, collided with a raccoon at a high speed, resulting in a fractured skull and a critical condition requiring intensive care. After a lengthy recovery process, Shaun eventually made a full recovery, emphasizing the importance of helmet use while riding e-scooters.
The lack of clear regulations and varying laws across provinces and territories has been flagged as a significant issue, contributing to the rising number of e-scooter injuries. Rosenfield highlighted the misperception of e-scooters as toys, despite their potential to reach high speeds and cause serious harm. While advocating for safe e-scooter usage, Rosenfield emphasized the need for comprehensive guidelines to ensure the safety of riders.
Despite the risks associated with e-scooters, Rosenfield acknowledged their value in urban environments to complement public transportation and reduce traffic congestion. However, he stressed the importance of establishing safety measures and regulations to prevent further injuries and promote responsible e-scooter usage.
