E-scooter hospitalizations spike 40 percent — head injuries among the most common

Hospitalizations for e-scooter riders in Canada rose by almost 40 percent in the past year, according to data released Tuesday by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

There were 837 hospitalizations between April 2025 and March 2026, up from 601 in the same period the previous year. Fractures and head and brain injuries were among the most common reasons riders were hospitalized.

The rise is especially pronounced among children. The number of kids aged 15 and under hospitalized for e-scooter injuries almost tripled, with 150 children requiring hospitalization compared to 54 in the previous year.

Canada's most densely populated areas — including Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec — had the most injuries. The data comes just weeks after the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program reported that 10 kids died from using e-scooters or e-bikes in 2025.

The pediatric surveillance program's report noted that the minimum age for riding e-scooters and e-bikes is 16 in most provinces, but many ignore the rules. There are also different bylaws about whether and where e-scooters and e-bikes are permitted in various jurisdictions across the country.

The report called for better policy co-ordination and public education to clearly communicate the laws. The data aligns with earlier warnings from SickKids doctors about exponential rises in serious e-scooter injuries among children.