E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety

I was out in Marpole recently and noticed something I’ve been seeing all over Vancouver, from Downtown and Mount Pleasant to Hastings-Sunrise: electric scooters. They’ve become a common sight on our streets, sidewalks, and throughout our neighbourhoods.

E-bikes and e-scooters are convenient ways to get around, but I’m increasingly concerned about riders travelling on sidewalks, not wearing helmets, carrying passengers, and children operating scooters when they’re too young to legally ride them.

We already have regulations covering these issues, but they aren’t being enforced consistently enough. Pedestrians shouldn’t have to worry about being struck by a scooter on the sidewalk, and drivers shouldn’t have to guess whether someone on an e-bike or e-scooter is going to follow the rules of the road. Riders themselves are also at risk when safety regulations are ignored.

BC Children’s Hospital has reported a significant increase in e-scooter-related injuries, including injuries to children under the legal riding age. This is something we need to take seriously before more people get hurt.

One of my priorities on Council will be working with the Vancouver Police Board and the VPD to develop an action plan for better enforcement of existing regulations, addressing unsafe riding, and improving accountability. Rental companies also need to do their part to ensure their equipment is being used responsibly.

We need to make sure our streets and sidewalks are safe for everyone, including children, seniors, drivers, pedestrians, and the people riding these devices themselves.