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Recent data has unveiled a troubling trend in Canada, revealing the significant risks posed by e-scooters and e-bikes to young riders. In 2025, ten children tragically lost their lives due to injuries from these electronic devices, with six fatalities occurring in Ontario alone. This information, published in the latest report from the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP), underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and public awareness regarding the use of such devices.
A Growing Concern
The CPSP’s annual report, which was unveiled jointly by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society, gathered information from 800 physicians across the nation. The findings indicated a total of 57 severe injuries among paediatric patients resulting from e-scooter and e-bike incidents last year, with 12 children requiring intensive care and 26 spending more than two days in hospital. This marks the inaugural comprehensive assessment of the serious injuries associated with these popular personal transportation devices.
Doctors working in emergency departments and trauma centres have observed a disconcerting rise in incidents involving e-scooters and e-bikes. Many have noted that these injuries are not merely superficial; nearly half of the reported cases involved significant head injuries, such as concussions, brain bleeds, and skull fractures. As Dr. Daniel Rosenfield, a paediatric emergency physician at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, pointed out, the prevalence of these injuries has increased dramatically, with cases skyrocketing from just one incident in 2020 to an alarming 107 in 2025.
Regulatory Confusion
Despite regulations across various provinces stipulating a minimum age of 16 for riders, the data reveals that nearly 80% of reported injuries were among children under this age. This discrepancy highlights a pressing need for better policy coordination and public education regarding the laws governing these devices.
In Ontario, for instance, cities like Brampton and Mississauga have embraced e-scooter pilot programmes that permit riders aged 16 and older to operate their devices at speeds of up to 24 km/h. Conversely, Toronto has prohibited e-scooters on public roads, sidewalks, and park pathways, yet many residents continue to disregard this regulation. The situation is further complicated in Alberta, where privately owned e-scooters are banned on roads and sidewalks, although rental e-scooters are permitted on designated paths in Edmonton and Calgary.
Dr. Brian Rowe, who works in emergency care in Edmonton, expressed concerns about a disconnect between city regulations and the realities of healthcare demands, suggesting that provincial strategies could better align safety measures with public use.
Regional Disparities in Regulations
In Quebec, the e-scooter pilot programme has been extended to 2028, allowing riders as young as 14 to travel at speeds of up to 25 km/h. However, this has led to a tenfold increase in e-scooter and e-bike injuries at the Montreal Children’s Hospital Trauma Centre since the programme’s initiation in 2023. Trauma Director Deborah Friedman reported that a significant proportion of injuries stem from falls rather than collisions with vehicles, with close to 60% of affected children being under the age of 14.
Friedman advocates for raising the minimum age to 16, arguing that even this threshold might still be too low given the high-speed nature of these devices. She also stresses the necessity for stricter helmet laws, as many children present with inadequately secured helmets, resulting in severe facial injuries. Additionally, she calls for increased accountability from retailers who market these products to young audiences.
A Call for Action
As the summer holidays draw to a close, concerns are mounting about the potential for further injuries as children return to school and resume outdoor activities. The alarming statistics from the CPSP report serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and families alike.
Why it Matters
The rise in e-scooter and e-bike injuries among children is not just a statistic; it highlights a critical gap in safety education and regulation. With these devices becoming increasingly popular, it is imperative for policymakers to engage with healthcare providers to develop coherent, effective strategies that prioritise the safety of young riders. As communities grapple with the challenges posed by these modern modes of transport, the health and well-being of children must remain at the forefront of discussions surrounding their use.
