New data released by the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Public Health Agency of Canada reveals that 10 children died across the country last year following incidents involving electric scooters and e-bikes, with six of those fatalities occurring in Ontario, according to the annual report from the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program. The findings highlight a sharp national rise in severe pediatric injuries tied to motorized micromobility devices, prompting physicians to warn that these high-speed vehicles are too often treated as children’s toys.
According to the surveillance report, researchers surveyed 800 frontline physicians to capture the scope of severe youth injuries. Beyond the 10 fatalities recorded in 2025, the data shows that 12 pediatric patients required admission to intensive care units, and 26 others spent more than two days hospitalized. In total, 57 severe injuries were documented, involving prolonged hospital stays, intensive care admissions, or death.
While most Canadian provinces set the minimum operating age for motorized micromobility devices at 16, the data indicates that nearly 80 percent of the recorded injury cases involved children younger than 16. Medical professionals emphasize that these devices—which also include electric skateboards, hoverboards, and monocycles—frequently reach speeds up to 45 kilometers per hour, creating significant safety hazards when operated by underage riders.
Surge in Pediatric Trauma and Head Injuries
Dr. Daniel Rosenfield, a pediatric emergency physician at SickKids in Toronto and chair of the injury prevention committee for the Canadian Paediatric Society, stated that he rarely finishes a shift without encountering a severe electric scooter injury. According to Dr. Rosenfield, the growth in emergency room admissions over recent years has been practically exponential.
“I think we’ve just reached a tipping point where the availability of these devices and, frankly, their popularity have simply surpassed anything that we’ve seen before,” Dr. Rosenfield explained, adding that the vehicles are frequently marketed like toys despite functioning as high-speed motor vehicles.
The clinical consequences extend far beyond simple limb fractures. Data compiled in the report shows that nearly half of all recorded pediatric cases involved traumatic brain injuries, ranging from concussions and skull fractures to brain hemorrhages. Consequently, neurosurgery emerged as the most common surgical intervention required for these young patients.
Regional Trends and Provincial Policies
The national findings reflect mounting pressures across provincial healthcare networks.
In Quebec, where a pilot project permits individuals aged 14 and older to operate electric scooters at speeds up to 25 kilometers per hour, trauma centers have experienced a surge. Deborah Friedman, director of the trauma service at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, reported that injuries linked to e-scooters and e-bikes have multiplied tenfold at the facility since the province launched its pilot project in 2023.
Medical experts note that the vast majority of these severe incidents did not involve motor vehicle collisions.
Next Steps and Official Guidance
Parents and caregivers seeking safety guidance can consult resources provided by the Canadian Paediatric Society for injury prevention strategies.
Keep reading