Electric scooters are getting faster, and new testing is raising questions about whether their safety features are keeping pace.
A new Consumer Reports evaluation tested 13 popular electric scooters and found growing concerns about speed, braking, stability and rider safety. Consumer Reports said years of increases in top speeds contributed to its decision to no longer recommend e-scooters as a product category.
The issue is especially relevant in Toronto. E-scooters are increasingly visible across the city, even though Toronto does not permit e-scooters on public roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, cycle tracks or trails. They can legally be bought and owned, but their use in public spaces remains prohibited.
For riders, pedestrians and drivers, faster scooters also raise an important question: What happens when an e-scooter is involved in a serious Toronto accident?
How Fast Are Electric Scooters Becoming?
Today’s e-scooters are very different from the small recreational scooters many people picture. Some new electric scooters are capable of speeds that put them much closer to motorized vehicles than traditional kick scooters. Independent testing has documented commercially available models reaching extremely high speeds.
Higher speed increases the risk. A rider travelling quickly has less time to react to a car door opening, a pedestrian stepping into their path or a vehicle entering an intersection. Stopping distance also becomes more important. And unlike someone inside a car, an e-scooter rider has almost no protection when a collision occurs.
Are E-Scooters Legal in Toronto?
This is one of the most common questions about Toronto e-scooter laws.
Toronto currently prohibits e-scooters from public roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, cycle tracks and trails. Toronto Police reiterated those rules during its 2026 micromobility enforcement campaign.
The fact that e-scooters are widely available for purchase does not mean they can legally be ridden everywhere.
That distinction can become important after an e-scooter accident in Toronto.
Are E-Scooter Accidents Increasing in Toronto?
Toronto Police reported 514 micromobility-related collisions in the city by August 10, 2026. That figure included two fatal collisions involving e-scooters.
Police have responded with increased education and enforcement.
The issue is particularly important around schools. Toronto Police’s September back-to-school campaign specifically identified micromobility devices as a safety concern and increased enforcement around school zones, intersections and pedestrian crossings.
Faster devices add another dimension to the problem.
A high-speed e-scooter interacting with cars, cyclists and pedestrians can create very different risks from a low-speed recreational scooter.
What Injuries Can an E-Scooter Accident Cause?
An electric scooter accident can result in serious injuries even when no car is involved.
A rider may be thrown onto pavement after losing control or hitting a pothole. A collision with a pedestrian can seriously injure both people.
Common injuries can include traumatic brain injuries, concussions, broken wrists and arms, facial injuries, fractures, spinal injuries and serious road rash.
When an e-scooter and motor vehicle collide, the consequences can be even more severe.
Who Is Liable for an E-Scooter Accident in Ontario?
Liability can become complicated.
Someone searching “Who is responsible for an e-scooter accident in Toronto?” or “Can I sue after being hit by an electric scooter?” needs an answer based on the specific circumstances.
Was a car involved? Was the scooter being operated illegally? How fast was it travelling? Did a driver fail to see the rider? Was a pedestrian struck? Was there a defect in the scooter itself?
The answers can affect both liability and insurance coverage.
An experienced Toronto personal injury lawyer can investigate the accident and determine which laws, insurance policies and potential claims apply.
Can You Make a Personal Injury Claim After an E-Scooter Accident?
Potentially.
Being injured while riding an e-scooter does not automatically prevent someone from pursuing a claim. Similarly, a pedestrian injured by an e-scooter may have legal options.
When a motor vehicle is involved, there may also be questions about access to Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits.
Every case needs to be assessed individually.
Evidence can include photographs, witness statements, surveillance footage, dashcam video, medical records and information about the scooter itself.
In a serious accident, preserving the actual e-scooter may also be important. Its model, specifications, condition and potential modifications could become relevant evidence.
Injured in a Toronto E-Scooter Accident? Contact Bergel Magence
As e-scooters become faster and more powerful, collisions involving these devices can raise difficult questions about negligence, insurance, Accident Benefits and personal injury claims.
If you have been injured in a Toronto e-scooter accident, e-bike accident, pedestrian accident, cyclist accident or collision involving a motor vehicle, Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers can help.
For more than 50 years, our firm has represented people with serious and catastrophic injuries throughout Toronto and across Ontario.
Contact Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Toronto personal injury lawyers can investigate how the accident happened, determine which insurance coverage may apply, preserve important evidence and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to receive.