The surge in e-scooter usage in Canada is accompanied by a concerning increase in injuries, particularly affecting young individuals, as regulations struggle to keep up. Dr. Daniel Rosenfield, a pediatric emergency physician at SickKids hospital in Toronto, and the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) injury prevention committee chair, highlights a significant rise in various e-scooter-related injuries, ranging from minor cuts to severe brain trauma and fatalities.
The number of e-scooter injury cases at SickKids escalated from 26 in 2023 to 46 in 2024 and 107 in 2025, with a projected increase this year. Similarly, at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, e-scooter injuries have surged tenfold since 2023, leading to severe facial and brain injuries among children.
A recent CPS survey of Canadian pediatric specialists unveiled alarming statistics, including 10 deaths, 12 ICU admissions, and 26 hospitalizations lasting over two days due to e-scooter crashes within the past year. Notably, over half of these cases involved head injuries, with the majority of victims not wearing helmets.
Moreover, a study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal revealed a stark rise in e-scooter-related hospital cases in the UK, mirroring the trend observed in Canada. The study recorded a surge from under 10 cases in 2019 to nearly 150 in 2024, with head injuries being predominant and a low helmet usage rate.
One poignant account from London, Ont., recounts the harrowing experience of Shawn Dunkley, who suffered a severe e-scooter accident at 12 years old, resulting in a fractured skull and a coma. While Shawn eventually recovered after a lengthy hospital stay, such incidents underscore the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and regulatory frameworks to address the risks associated with e-scooter use.
Dr. Rosenfield emphasizes the misconception that e-scooters are mere toys, emphasizing their high-speed capabilities and the critical need for public education, clearer regulations, and improved enforcement to mitigate risks. While recognizing the benefits of e-scooters in urban settings, stakeholders advocate for a balanced approach that prioritizes safety without necessarily advocating for a blanket e-scooter ban.