With Quebec's pilot project about electric scooters and other motorized personal mobility devices set to end during the summer of 2026, the Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH) Trauma Centre is raising the alarm about the growing number of serious injuries involving children and teens. As the province considers what comes next, trauma specialists are urging stronger safety measures and greater public awareness.
Over the past three years, the use of e-scooters has increased significantly across Quebec. According to data from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP), last year, the MCH Trauma Centre had approximately 80 children and teens treated for injuries including traumatic brain injuries, abdominal trauma, facial trauma, dental trauma, fractures, lacerations and sprains. This year, it has already treated more than 30 patients. While in previous years, 9 per cent of cases were severe enough to require hospital admission, this year, almost 20 per cent of children and teens sustained very severe injuries requiring hospitalization, critical care management and the involvement of many trauma specialists.
"Thus far this year, close to 60 per cent of e-scooter-related injuries involve children under the age of 14, a rise from an already worrisome high proportion last year," notes Debbie Friedman, Trauma Director and CHIRPP Director at the MCH. "These injuries are often serious, life-altering and, in many cases, entirely preventable."
"Every injury statistic represents a child, a family and a community forever changed. What we are seeing at our trauma centre reflects a broader problem across Quebec," emphasizes Debbie Friedman, also an Associate Professor in Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery at McGill University.
A key moment for decision-makers
As the end of the pilot project nears, policymakers, trauma centres and communities must work together to ensure the safety of our children and teens. Meeting the minimum age requirement of 14 years of age to ride an e-scooter does not eliminate the risk: teens and adults continue to sustain serious traumatic injuries. Based on clinical experience and injury surveillance data, the MCH Trauma Centre highlights the following:
- Children under 14 remain disproportionately represented in injury cases;
- Many Canadian and international jurisdictions require a minimum age of 16 years;
- Lower speed limits (e.g., 20 km/h) are used elsewhere to reduce injury severity;
- Road conditions and infrastructure play a major role in injury risk;
- Awareness of risk and enforcement of regulations need to be prioritized.
Current safety rules (Gouvernement du Québec, 2026)
First, users must continue to follow existing regulations and adhere to road safety rules:
- Mandatory use of a properly fitting helmet
- Minimum age: 14 years old
- Maximum speed: 25 km/h
- Maximum motor power: 500 W
- Maximum weight: 36 kg
- No passengers
- No use of cell phones or earphones
- No impaired riding (alcohol or drugs)
- Ride only on roads ≤ 50 km/h or on bike paths
- No riding on sidewalks
Everyone has a role to play
"Legislation is important, but it is not enough to prevent injuries," emphasizes Liane Fransblow, Trauma Coordinator of the MCH Injury Prevention Program. "Families, youth and communities all have a role to play. Wearing a properly fitted helmet, being aware of the risks, respecting the rules of the road, and understanding and following the regulations are essential."
A simple message to remember
As Quebec considers the future of e-scooter legislation, the MCH Trauma Centre urges policymakers, municipalities, parents and riders to keep injury prevention at the centre of every decision. Innovation and mobility should not come at the expense of safety.
As e-scooter use continues to grow, strong safety measures, effective enforcement and sustained public awareness are essential to help prevent serious injuries and ensure that children, teens and adults can use these devices safely.
The MCH Trauma Centre remains available to collaborate with all parties involved.
