Recent findings reveal alarming statistics regarding the safety of e-scooters and e-bikes for children in Canada, with the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program reporting that ten children lost their lives due to accidents involving these devices in 2025. This troubling data has led to significant concerns about the increasing number of severe injuries among young riders, particularly in Ontario, where six of the fatalities occurred.
Escalating Injury Rates
The annual report from the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program, released in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society, underscores the risks posed by these personal mobility devices. In addition to the tragic deaths, twelve children were admitted to intensive care units, and twenty-six others spent more than two days in hospital due to serious injuries related to e-scooters and e-bikes, bringing the total number of severe incidents to fifty-seven.
The report, which draws on data from 800 surveyed medical professionals, highlights a startling trend. Hospitalisation rates for children aged five to seventeen due to e-scooter incidents have surged from thirty-three in 2022-2023 to fifty-three in 2023-2024, a clear indicator of the growing danger these devices pose. Emergency room physicians across the nation have echoed these findings, reporting a sharp increase in injuries linked to e-scooters, e-skateboards, and similar devices.
A Tipping Point in Youth Safety
Dr. Daniel Rosenfield, a paediatric emergency physician at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, has witnessed firsthand the dramatic rise in e-scooter-related injuries. He notes that he rarely completes a shift without encountering such cases, with many involving significant head trauma, including concussions and skull fractures. “The availability and popularity of these devices have reached a tipping point,” he remarked, reflecting on the exponential rise in injuries—from a mere one case in 2020 to a staggering 107 reported in 2025.
The current regulatory landscape is confusing, with riders in most provinces required to be at least sixteen years old. However, the overwhelming majority of reported injuries involve children under this age limit, suggesting an urgent need for better policy alignment and enhanced public education regarding the laws governing these devices.
Regulatory Confusion Across Provinces
The patchwork of regulations surrounding e-scooters adds to the complexity of the issue. In Ontario, cities like Brampton and Mississauga permit riders aged sixteen and above to operate e-scooters at speeds of up to 24 km/h. Conversely, Toronto has banned their use on public roads and sidewalks, yet many residents continue to defy this bylaw. Across the province in Alberta, privately owned e-scooters are prohibited on roads or sidewalks, but rental options are available in cities like Edmonton and Calgary, albeit restricted to designated paths.
Dr. Brian Rowe, an emergency care physician in Edmonton, has called attention to the disconnect between municipal regulations and the implications for public health. He emphasises that while municipalities and rental companies profit from these devices, the healthcare system bears the brunt of the injuries they cause. Dr. Rowe advocates for a unified provincial approach to e-scooter regulation to ensure safety measures are consistent across the board.
The Need for Stricter Regulations and Education
In Quebec, where an e-scooter pilot programme has been extended to 2028, the minimum age for riders is fourteen. However, this has led to a tenfold increase in e-scooter injuries at the Montreal Children’s Hospital Trauma Centre since its introduction. Hospital trauma director Deborah Friedman reports that many of these incidents do not involve collisions with vehicles but rather occur when riders are thrown from their devices. Alarmingly, nearly sixty per cent of those injured were under the age of fourteen, prompting calls for increased age restrictions and stricter helmet regulations.
Friedman has observed that many children arrive at the hospital with poorly secured helmets, often suffering facial fractures. She emphasises the need for greater accountability from retailers in how they market these products to young audiences, advocating for policy-makers to engage with trauma centres to better understand the realities of these injuries.
Why it Matters
The rising incidence of severe injuries and fatalities among children using e-scooters and e-bikes presents a critical public health challenge in Canada. As these devices become increasingly popular, the need for coherent and strict regulations is paramount to safeguard young riders. Without immediate action to enhance safety measures, educate families, and enforce existing laws, we risk placing our children in harm’s way as they navigate their communities on these potentially dangerous devices.