B.C. health authority reminds gift-givers that e-scooters aren’t for kids

A file image of an e-scooter.

E-scooters don’t belong on the holiday wish list of anyone under 16, health officials in B.C are warning as the shopping season ramps up.

The province prohibits anyone under 16 from riding an electronic scooter, and anyone who is legally allowed to ride is required to wear a helmet and adhere to a range of regulations, Vancouver Coastal Health said in a news release.

“Non-motorized forms of active transportation—such as cycling and non-electric kick scooters—are safer alternatives for children and can help them develop balance, co-ordination, gross motor skills and confidence, provided helmets and safety equipment are used,” said Dr. Brandon Yau, medical health officer, in the statement.

“Motorized devices are much heavier and can travel at higher speeds, leading to greater risk of falls, collisions and head injuries—especially for younger, inexperienced riders.”

B.C. recently adapted its record-keeping system to properly track e-scooter injuries, but national data suggests they are on the rise. The Canadian Institute for Health Information found a 22 per cent year-over-year increase in overall hospitalizations due to falls from e-scooters, and a 61 per cent increase among kids between the ages of five and 16, the health authority said.

Some of the rules in B.C. for those who are legally old enough to use an e-scooter and who live in communities participating in the pilot project include a 25 km/h speed limit, a prohibition on using electronic devices while riding and a prohibition on operating a scooter under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Breaking the rules can result in fines ranging from $109 to $2,000.