Emergency physicians at the Hospital for Sick Children have reported a noticeable rise in injuries linked to electric scooters over recent years.
Dr. Daniel Rosenfield, a pediatric emergency physician, stresses that e‑scooters should be regarded as high‑speed motor vehicles rather than toys.
Riders frequently bypass factory‑installed speed limiters—a practice known as “jailbreaking”—using software or hardware modifications, and instructional videos for these alterations are widely available online.
When limiters are removed, scooters equipped with 500‑watt, 36‑volt motors can achieve higher speeds and extended ranges, with some models advertised to travel up to 40 kilometres on a single charge.
Ontario law limits electric scooters to a maximum motor output of 500 watts and a top speed of 24 km/h on level ground; riders must be at least 16 years old, and helmets are compulsory for users under 18.
Medical experts advise that wearing helmets, obeying traffic regulations, avoiding substance use, and refraining from modifying scooters are the most effective ways to reduce injury risk.
Although the city of Toronto opted out of the province’s e‑scooter pilot program, numerous illegal scooters continue to operate on its streets.
The combination of increased speed and power is driving a surge in severe injuries treated in emergency departments, prompting officials to warn parents against purchasing these devices for children.
