More children suffering serious injuries on e-scooters

An electric kick scooter. (File)

There is a growing number of children and teens suffering serious injuries on electric scooters, according to the trauma centre of the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH).

The hospital made the statement as Quebec’s pilot project on electric scooters and other motorized devices is set to end this summer.

• READ MORE: Calls for vigilance after numerous e-scooter collisions involving children

According to data from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP), the MCH Trauma Centre treated 80 children and teens last year for traumatic brain injuries, abdominal, facial and dental trauma, as well as other wounds, like fractures, lacerations and sprains.

This year, the hospital states that it has already seen 30 patients related to e-scooters.

“It’s almost being treated as if it’s a toy that’s on our roads,” said Debbie Friedman, trauma director and CHIRPP director at the MCH. “A lot of the people that are on the e-scooters are not perhaps even aware of some of the road safety rules. You’re putting them on the road with drivers, and this is very much of a concern.”

• READ MORE: Quebec’s new electric scooter rules are now in effect

She points out that previously, nine per cent of cases were severe enough to require hospital admission.

That percentage has skyrocketed to almost 20 per cent.

Additionally, 60 per cent of e-scooter-related injuries involve children under the legal riding age of 14.

“The judgment isn’t there, and the thrill of the moment is resulting in some extremely serious life-altering situations for some of these kids and their families and their communities,” said Friedman. “It’s quite devastating when there’s a significant injury. It impacts everyone.”

• READ MORE: Teen killed on e-scooter near Montreal park honoured, calls for more safety measures

She points out that there are various factors contributing to the increasing number of injuries.

“We’re very concerned about the road conditions that we have here, which are not conducive to a safe activity,” Friedman tells CTV News. “The speeds at which the users are going, the kind of helmets - if they’re wearing helmets - are they properly secured to their heads to give them some degree of protection? The fact that they’re double riding.”

The hospital acknowledges that over the past three years, the use of e-scooters has increased significantly across Quebec, and as such, trauma specialists say there is an urgent need for stronger safety measures and greater public awareness.

“I have countless accounts of people talking about how they’re being cut off, how buses are always worried,” said Friedman. “I reiterate our road conditions are not great. In many ways, it’s setting these people who are on e-scooters up to have traumatic events.”

The hospital emphasizes that, as the pilot project comes to an end, policymakers, trauma centres and local communities must continue to work together.

• READ MORE: E-bikes and e-scooters need clearer rules, more data: CAA-Quebec

“Legislation is important, but it is not enough to prevent injuries,” said Liane Fransblow, trauma coordinator of the MCH Injury Prevention Program. “Families, youth and communities all have a role to play.”

The trauma centre points to the following data:

• 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;
• Risk awareness and regulation enforcement need to be prioritized.

As it stands, these are the current rules in Quebec, in addition to adhering to standard road safety rules:

• Wearing a helmet;
• Minimum age of 14 years old;
• Maximum speed of 25 km/h;
• Maximum motor power of 500 W;
• Maximum weight of 36 kg;
• No passengers;
• No use of cell phones or earphones;
• No riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• Riding on roads or bike paths (if going slower than 50 km/h);
• No riding on sidewalks.