Two years into a provincial pilot project, data on e-scooter injuries and crashes remains incomplete, even as doctors, police, and parents raise alarms about rising incidents involving children in British Columbia.
Emergency Rooms See Daily Cases
Dr. Navid Dehghani, head of pediatric emergency at Surrey Memorial Hospital, says he can hardly recall a recent day without treating a child injured on an e-scooter. “We often see multiple in a day, especially on warmer days,” he noted. Injuries are typically high-impact, including broken bones, concussions, and serious neck or chest trauma. Boys aged 11 to 15 are most frequently affected.
Pilot Project and Legal Restrictions
B.C. law prohibits e-scooter use on roads and sidewalks except in 34 communities participating in a provincial pilot project. Non-participating cities include Surrey, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Abbotsford, and Mission. Riders must be at least 16 years old, but youths are often seen riding illegally across Metro Vancouver.
Incomplete Data Hinders Safety Efforts
Hospital coding systems struggle to track e-scooter injuries due to the novelty of the devices. Trauma Services B.C. reported a rise in severe injuries among children from fewer than five cases in 2021 to 10 in 2024, but less-severe injuries likely number in the hundreds. ICBC cannot separate e-scooter crashes from those involving cyclists or pedestrians.
Police and Community Concerns
In Chilliwack, part of the pilot, police report illegal speeds, lack of helmets, and double riding. Cpl. Carmen Kiener emphasized enforcement alone is insufficient: “Wearing a helmet, slowing down, and following the rules can be the difference between a close call and a fatal outcome.” A recent crash involving two children on an e-scooter in North Burnaby has alarmed parents, according to social media influencer Tara Jensen of British Columbia Mom. She noted that e-scooters are popular among youths commuting home from school, often ridden on sidewalks or in traffic.
Doctors and advocates urge better data collection, stricter enforcement, and parental supervision to prevent further injuries.
