Fractures, bruises, concussions: B.C. hospital sounding alarm about e-scooter crashes involving children

BC Children's Hospital is sounding the alarm about a sharp rise in injuries among children getting hurt while riding e-scooters

A growing number of B.C. children are being injured in e-scooter accidents, prompting a warning from health officials.

There were 81 patients treated in the B.C. Children’s Hospital emergency department for injuries related to e-scooter use between April 2025 and March 2026—more than twice as many as the previous year.

“Over half were not wearing helmets, 59 per cent of those were riding over the legal speed limit,” said Dr. Shelina Babul, director of the hospital’s Injury Research and Prevention Unit.

While the province has imposed a limit of 25 km/h for electric kick scooters, Babul noted some models are capable of going significantly faster.

“Off-market and online retailers are selling some that go up to 40 km/h,” she said. “That’s extremely dangerous, especially when you think about the mechanics around an e-scooter, the small wheels that are more prone to a collision.”

And despite B.C. requiring that e-scooter riders be at least 16 years old, most of the hospital’s emergency visits involved children between the ages of 13 and 15.

Babul said parents should be aware of the “inherent risks” associated with using e-scooters—and that those become much worse when basic safety measures are not taken.

“Ensure your e-scooter has a bell so you’re able to inform people around you that you will be bypassing them, and only ride as a single user,” she said. “Never double up, never wear headphones, don’t ride under the influence.”

Of the cases treated at B.C. Children’s Hospital, 35 per cent involved bone fractures, 26 per cent involved bruises, and 17 per cent involved concussions.

Resha Sabti, who is running for Langley Township council, spoke at her local school board meeting last month calling for greater awareness around the risks associated with e-scooter use.

She said she began looking into the dangers when her 10-year-old son asked her to buy an one of the devices.

“I eventually realized that there was not enough information available for parents,” Sabti said.

She called the growing popularity of the devices mixed with the inconsistent use of helmets and other safety precautions a “really terrifying” problem.

“My fear is one of the communities will deal with a child’s death,” she said. “I don’t think we want to wait until that day before we take action.”