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Published August 26, 2026

E-scooter hospitalizations surge 40% across Canada as head and brain injuries climb

Hospitalizations linked to e-scooter injuries increased sharply across Canada over the past year, with new data showing significant rises among both adults and children. The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) reported Tuesday that 837 people were hospitalized following e-scooter injuries between April 2025 and March 2026. That's up nearly 40 per cent from 601 hospitalizations recorded during the same period a year earlier. Fractures, along with head and brain injuries, were among the most common reasons riders required hospital care. Injuries among children rise sharply The data points to an especially steep increase among younger riders. Hospitalizations involving children aged 15 and under nearly tripled over the past year. A total of 150 children were hospitalized for e-scooter injuries, compared with 54 children and adolescents during the previous reporting period. The findings add to growing concerns about the safety of electric scooters and other forms of micromobility transportation among young people. Most injuries reported in Canada's largest provinces Canada's most densely populated provinces accounted for the highest number of injuries. According to CIHI, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec recorded the largest volumes of e-scooter-related hospitalizations. The latest figures come only weeks after the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program released a report stating that 10 children died while using e-scooters or e-bikes in 2025. Calls for better education and policy co-ordination The pediatric surveillance program noted that the minimum age for operating e-scooters and e-bikes is 16 in most provinces, but said many young riders are not following those rules. Rules governing where e-scooters and e-bikes can be used also vary widely between municipalities and provinces. The report called for better policy co-ordination and public education to clearly communicate the laws governing e-scooter and e-bike use across Canada.
A person rides on an electric scooter in Toronto, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Keito Newman

Hospitalizations linked to e-scooter injuries increased sharply across Canada over the past year, with new data showing significant rises among both adults and children.

The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) reported Tuesday that 837 people were hospitalized following e-scooter injuries between April 2025 and March 2026. That's up nearly 40 per cent from 601 hospitalizations recorded during the same period a year earlier.

Fractures, along with head and brain injuries, were among the most common reasons riders required hospital care.

Injuries among children rise sharply

The data points to an especially steep increase among younger riders.

Hospitalizations involving children aged 15 and under nearly tripled over the past year. A total of 150 children were hospitalized for e-scooter injuries, compared with 54 children and adolescents during the previous reporting period.

The findings add to growing concerns about the safety of electric scooters and other forms of micromobility transportation among young people.

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Most injuries reported in Canada's largest provinces

Canada's most densely populated provinces accounted for the highest number of injuries.

According to CIHI, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec recorded the largest volumes of e-scooter-related hospitalizations.

The latest figures come only weeks after the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program released a report stating that 10 children died while using e-scooters or e-bikes in 2025.

Calls for better education and policy co-ordination

The pediatric surveillance program noted that the minimum age for operating e-scooters and e-bikes is 16 in most provinces, but said many young riders are not following those rules.

Rules governing where e-scooters and e-bikes can be used also vary widely between municipalities and provinces.

The report called for better policy co-ordination and public education to clearly communicate the laws governing e-scooter and e-bike use across Canada.

  • with files from The Canadian Press

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