Ten kids died from e-scooter and e-bike injuries in 2025, Canada's pediatric data shows
The Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program reports severe injuries surged, with 57 cases requiring ICU care, hospitalization or death—almost half involving head trauma.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ten children died from e-scooter and e-bike injuries across Canada in 2025, according to new data from the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program. Twelve more were admitted to intensive care units and 26 were hospitalized for more than two days. The total number of severe cases—those requiring prolonged hospital stays, ICU admission or death—reached 57.
The findings alarm emergency physicians who report seeing injuries climb steeply. Dr. Daniel Rosenfield, a pediatric emergency physician at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, says he rarely works a shift without treating an e-scooter injury. At his hospital alone, cases jumped from one in 2020 to 107 in 2025. Almost half of all reported injuries involved head trauma—brain bleeds, fractured skulls, concussions—with neurosurgery the most common procedure needed.
A key concern: almost 80 per cent of injured riders were under 16, despite age minimums set at 16 in most provinces. These devices marketed as toys can reach speeds of 45 km/h. Rosenfield describes the core problem plainly: "You have a device that is marketed as a toy that is a high speed motor vehicle that children are using."
Regulations vary wildly across Canada. In Alberta, privately owned e-scooters are banned on roads and sidewalks, but licensed rental services operate in Calgary and Edmonton. Ontario cities split: some like Brampton and Mississauga allow 16+ riders at speeds up to 24 km/h through pilot programs, while Toronto has banned them on public roads, sidewalks and park pathways—though many ignore the bylaw and you can still buy one in the city.
The data represents the first national scale measure of severe injuries. The Canadian Paediatric Society's Injury Prevention Committee chair says clearer, consistent laws and public education are essential to help families and young people understand what's legal where they live.
What specific regulatory changes are pediatricians and safety advocates calling for, beyond what Alberta currently has in place?
Why is the age minimum set at 16 in most provinces when 80 per cent of injuries involve children under 16?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
By the numbers
How many children died from e-scooter and e-bike injuries in Canada in 2025?
Ten children died from e-scooter and e-bike injuries across Canada in 2025, according to the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program.
How many severe e-scooter and e-bike injury cases were reported in Canada in 2025?
Fifty-seven severe cases requiring prolonged hospital stays, ICU admission, or death were reported in Canada in 2025. This total included 10 deaths, 12 ICU admissions, and 26 hospitalizations lasting more than two days.
What percentage of e-scooter and e-bike injuries involved head trauma?
Almost half of all reported e-scooter and e-bike injuries involved head trauma, including brain bleeds, fractured skulls, and concussions, with neurosurgery being the most common procedure needed.
What age group accounted for most e-scooter and e-bike injuries in Canada in 2025?
Almost 80 per cent of injured riders were under 16, despite age minimums set at 16 in most provinces.
