Kathrine Frich
Getting around the city has changed completely over the last few years.
Sidewalks and bike lanes are now buzzing with small, quiet gadgets that promise a fun ride. But the rush of speeding through the streets is leaving behind a trail of quiet emergencies.
A growing crisis
According to a release from McGill University and Mirage.News, the Canadian province of Quebec is wrapping up a major pilot project regarding motorized personal vehicles.
Over the last three years, electric scooters have flooded the region. As the rules face a final review in the summer of 2026, medical professionals are issuing a stark warning.
The Montreal Children’s Hospital Trauma Centre reports a worrying spike in patients. Last year alone, doctors treated around 80 young people for severe wounds like broken bones, facial trauma, and brain injuries.
Alarm in the wards
The severity of these crashes is escalating rapidly. Previously, only nine percent of victims needed hospital admission, but that number has now nearly doubled to 20 percent.
Current provincial rules state that riders must be at least 14 years old. Yet the hospital data shows that those restrictions are routinely ignored on the streets.
“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, a trauma director at the hospital.
Lives changed forever
Friedman, who also teaches at McGill University, stresses that the data tells a deeply personal story.
“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,” she emphasizes.
Experts note that other regions require riders to be 16 years old and enforce slower speed limits. They want lawmakers to consider these stricter measures.
Beyond the law
Safety rules in the region already ban passengers, cell phones, and riding on sidewalks. However, making new laws will not solve the problem if no one follows them.
Liane Fransblow is a trauma coordinator at the hospital. She points out that safe riding requires a massive community effort.
“Legislation is important, but it is not enough to prevent injuries,” Fransblow states. She notes that wearing a helmet and respecting road rules are completely essential steps.
Sources: Mirage.News, McGill University, Montreal Children’s Hospital
