E-scooter injuries are increasing across Canada, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). The rise in injuries highlights concerns due to inconsistent regulations between provinces. Hospitalizations from e-scooter accidents grew by 32% in one year, from 375 in 2022-2023 to 498 in 2023-2024. Most of these hospitalizations involved adult men, while there was a 61% increase in injuries among children aged 5 to 17, rising from 33 to 53. For all ages, hospitalizations for males increased by 22%, and for females, the rise was even higher at 60%.
Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia reported the highest numbers of e-scooter-related hospitalizations. Dr. Daniel Rosenfield, a pediatric emergency physician at SickKids Hospital, noted that over the past five years, emergency room visits for children with e-scooter injuries have been rising, with some incidents being severe, including a fatality in 2023. Injuries range from minor cuts to serious conditions like brain trauma, internal bleeding, and fractures. Most of the children admitted to the ER were not wearing helmets, with 80% of cases where helmet information was available showing that riders weren’t protected.
Rosenfield attributes the surge in injuries to the increased affordability and power of e-scooters, combined with a lack of awareness about their risks. Many parents are unaware of the scooters’ high speed and torque, which can lead to serious accidents, especially when children fall or collide with vehicles.
Pamela Fuselli, CEO of Parachute Canada, emphasized that e-scooter laws differ across provinces and municipalities. In Ontario, riders must be at least 16, but e-scooters are banned on public roads in Toronto while allowed under a pilot program in Oshawa.
While non-electric push scooters can also cause injuries, Rosenfield pointed out that their lower speeds result in less severe accidents compared to e-scooters. The concern with e-scooters lies in their high speed, which increases the potential for catastrophic injuries.