e-Scooters

Key Points

  • Always wear a helmet when riding e-scooters.1
  • Don’t ride late at night, especially without lights. Most injuries happen between 11 PM and 5 AM.2
  • Park your scooter in a safe place – not on sidewalks or in doorways.
  • Ride at safe speeds. Going too fast can lead to crashes.
  • Avoid using alcohol or cannabis before riding an e-scooter.

Why E-scooter Injuries Matter.

E-scooters are easy to use, fun and convenient for short trips. However, people are getting hurt while riding them because of improper use. Most riders don’t wear a helmet1, and many don’t follow the rules. Riding at night, while distracted, or while intoxicated can also make crashes more likely.

Teens and young adults are the most likely groups to get hurt. They often ride for fun, go faster than they should, and are more likely to take risks. They may also have less experience with road traffic and navigating crowded areas.

The most common injuries are:

  • Head injuries, including concussions
  • Broken arms, wrists, and legs
  • Cuts and scrapes

The worst injuries can include:

  • Serious brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Permanent damage that affects walking, memory, or balance

In Finland, e-scooter injuries dropped after banning late-night riding.

In Alberta, private e-scooters are not currently allowed on public sidewalks or roadways. However, many communities have been granted permission from the Alberta Government to allow e-scooter rental companies to operate. In these communities, rules, education, and safe places have been created by local governments to make riding safer.

e-Scooter Injuries: By the Numbers1

(2019 - 2021)

26%

DRUNK OR HIGH

62%

HAD MORE THAN 1 INJURY (INLCUDING HEAD)

ONLY 2%

USE A HELMET

Preventing E-scooter Injuries.

E-scooters are a great way to get active and move around your community.

E-scooter injuries occur when riders collide with stationary objects, vehicles or people. Falls from e-scooters can also cause serious injury. Injuries can be prevented by riding safely, using proper equipment and following the rules of the road.

1. Prevent falls and crashes with smart riding habits.

  1. Know what the rules are concerning e-scooters in your community. Each community in Alberta with rental e-scooters has developed their own rules - what is allowed in one community may not be in another.
  2. Wear a helmet every time you ride.
  3. Ride during daylight when it’s easier to see and be seen. Avoid riding between 11 PM and 5 AM.
  4. Slow down. High speeds make it harder to stop safely and increase the chance of serious injury.
  5. Use bike lanes or paths where available. Avoid sidewalks and areas with heavy foot traffic.
  6. Stay alert. Don’t ride distracted. Keep both hands on the handlebars and eyes on the road.

2. Make good choices before and during your ride.

  1. Don’t ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Your reaction time and balance can be affected.
  2. Check your scooter before you go. Make sure the brakes work and tires are in good shape.
  3. Obey traffic signals and signs. Scooters must follow the rules of the road.

3. Prevent injuries to others by parking responsibly.

  1. Park in designated areas when available.
  2. Do not block sidewalks, doorways, or ramps. Poor parking can cause falls or block access.

Resources.

IPC Resources:

External Resources:

Get social.

Use these hashtags on social media to discuss this issue.

#ScooterSafety

Updated 7 August, 2025.

References

1 Bristow, E., Marin, J., Couperthwaite, S., Picard, C., Yang, E., & Rowe, B. H. (2025). Electric scooter injury and trauma in Edmonton: a multicentre prospective and retrospective observational study. Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie, 68(2), E160–E168. https://doi.org/10.1503/cjs.004924

2 Pakarinen, O., Kobylin, A., Harjola, V. P., Castrén, M., & Vasara, H. (2023). Speed and Nighttime Usage Restrictions and the Incidence of Shared Electric Scooter Injuries. JAMA network open, 6(11), e2341194. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.41194

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