Rising hospital admissions fuel safety concerns
Canadian hospitals recorded a sharp increase in admissions linked to e‑scooter accidents over the past year. Data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) shows 837 people were hospitalised between April 2025 and March 2026, up from 601 in the same period the previous year. The 40 % rise comes amid a broader surge in the popularity of lightweight, electric micro‑mobility devices across the country.
Head and brain injuries feature prominently among the most common reasons for admission. Fractures, particularly of the lower limbs and major joints, also dominate the injury profile. Dr Daniel Rosenfield, a paediatric emergency physician at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children and chair of the injury‑prevention committee for the Canadian Paediatric Society, described the figures as “not remotely surprising” given the growing prevalence of e‑scooters, especially during the summer months.
Children and teenagers bear the brunt
The data reveals a pronounced shift in the demographic of those affected. Hospitalisations for children aged 15 and under jumped from 54 in 2024‑25 to 150 in 2025‑26. Among the younger cohort, boys accounted for the majority of cases—122 compared with 28 girls. “It is indeed quite sobering that specifically young teen and pre‑teen boys are the highest jump in morbidity and injury,” Rosenfield noted.
Among adults aged 16‑30, the increase was more modest but still notable: 129 hospitalisations in 2024‑25 rose to 153 in 2025‑26. The overall trend mirrors the expanding availability of e‑scooters, which have become cheaper and more accessible in large urban centres. Michael Terner, manager for hospital data management at CIHI, echoed the sentiment, describing the rise as “not surprising” in environments where such devices are widely used.
Injury patterns and long‑term trends
Fractures and major joint or musculoskeletal injuries accounted for 65 % of all e‑scooter‑related hospitalisations in 2025‑26, totalling 544 cases. Head and brain injuries represented 18.8 % of admissions, with 157 patients requiring treatment. These injuries have shown a consistent upward trajectory, with hospitalisation rates climbing between 20 % and 40 % annually.
The proportion of head‑and‑brain injuries is particularly concerning. “That number, especially with the head or brain, it’s going up as a proportion every year,” Terner said. “Just that number went up by nearly three‑quarters in the last year.”
Beyond hospital data, the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP) reported that ten youths died from e‑scooter and e‑bike incidents in 2025. The youngest victims were as young as five, with the average age of incidents falling between 10 and 12. Head injuries comprised 47 % of reported cases, while limb injuries accounted for 40 %.
Recent figures from July 2026 confirm a 22 % spike in e‑scooter hospitalisations nationwide. Between 2024 and 2025, 18 children under the age of four suffered injuries, while 241 youths aged five to 17 required hospital care. In total, more than 1 000 Canadians were admitted for e‑scooter‑related injuries during that period.
Policy responses and safety initiatives
Governments are beginning to grapple with the growing safety challenge. Nova Scotia announced plans to prohibit children under 14 from riding e‑scooters and e‑bikes, amending the province’s Traffic Safety Act this autumn. Public Works Minister Fred Tilley highlighted the rapid evolution of vehicle technology, noting that “you start to get into a different level of conveyance than a traditional bicycle or cycle.”
Other provinces have already instituted age restrictions. Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia each maintain their own rules limiting who can operate these devices. The measures aim to curb the rising injury rates, particularly among younger riders.
Health advocates stress the importance of education and proper safety equipment. “It’s very important for them [youth] to understand the risks that come with these devices to make informed decisions and hopefully do their best to prevent any injuries,” said CIHI’s Terner. Campaigns promoting helmet use, protective gear and awareness of road rules are being rolled out in several urban centres.
Why it Matters
The surge in e‑scooter hospitalisations signals a public‑health issue that transcends mere convenience. As micro‑mobility continues to reshape urban transport, the growing body of injury data underscores the urgent need for comprehensive safety strategies—ranging from stricter age limits and enforcement to targeted education programmes. Failure to address these trends could place increasing strain on emergency services and leave vulnerable children exposed to preventable harm. The policy actions now being taken will shape the safety landscape for years to come, influencing not only individual health outcomes but also the broader sustainability of active‑transport initiatives across Canada.
