Montreal Children's Hospital (Hôpital de Montréal pour enfants) issued an alert on June 16, 2026, indicating a sharp increase in serious injuries among young riders of electric scooters. The pediatric health centre, which monitors a wide range of child‑related traumas, said the recent uptick has prompted concern among staff and public‑health officials.
Hospital officials explained that the rise is evident across the city’s emergency department, where more children and teenagers are arriving with injuries directly linked to electric‑scooter use. While the facility tracks all pediatric injuries, the current pattern shows a notable shift toward more severe cases involving the small, motorized devices that have become popular for short‑distance travel.
The warning follows a period of growing adoption of electric scooters throughout Montreal, where the vehicles are frequently used for commuting, recreation, and school‑related trips. Health professionals at the hospital noted that the injuries range from fractures and head trauma to internal injuries, all requiring intensive medical attention. The severity of these cases has led the hospital to emphasize the need for heightened safety measures among young riders.
Hospital staff highlighted that many of the affected youths are still developing the coordination and judgment needed to navigate traffic safely, making them especially vulnerable to accidents. The centre’s injury‑prevention team is working to disseminate information about protective gear, speed limits, and responsible riding practices to families, schools, and community groups.
The hospital’s alert does not include specific statistics, but the language used by administrators underscores a significant and growing public‑health issue. By bringing attention to the trend, the institution hopes to encourage parents, caregivers, and policymakers to consider additional safeguards, such as stricter age restrictions, mandatory helmet use, and targeted education campaigns, to curb the rise in severe e‑scooter injuries among Montreal’s youth.