Teen injured after helmet comes off in Nanaimo e-scooter crash, RCMP says

Nanaimo RCMP is reminding riders to wear properly fastened helmets and stay off sidewalks when using electric scooters.

A teenager was injured in an electric scooter crash in Nanaimo earlier this month, prompting RCMP to remind riders that helmets and the rules of the road can save lives.

The collision happened shortly before 3:30 p.m. on July 9 at the intersection of Uplands Drive and Villa Road.

Police say two youths were riding electric scooters at a high speed along the sidewalk when one of the riders collided with a vehicle that was making a right turn. The impact threw the rider onto the road, where they suffered injuries that required medical attention.

Investigators say the rider’s helmet was not properly fastened and came off during the crash.

The investigation also found both youths were riding on the sidewalk where electric scooters are not permitted, and were younger than the minimum age of 16 required under B.C.’s Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project.

Both riders were issued violation tickets.

“This collision is a reminder that e-scooters and e-bikes are capable of reaching speeds where mistakes can have serious consequences,” Insp. Donovan Tait, operations officer with Nanaimo RCMP, said in a statement.

Tait says frontline officers, along with members of the detachment’s youth section, are working to educate young riders about provincial regulations in hopes of preventing similar crashes.

RCMP is also encouraging parents to make sure children and teens understand the rules before riding an electric scooter or e-bike. Police say riders should always wear a properly fitted helmet with the chin strap securely fastened, meet the minimum age requirements, stay off sidewalks and follow provincial regulations and local bylaws governing the use of e-scooters and e-bikes.

As electric scooters become increasingly popular across Vancouver Island, police hope the collision serves as a reminder that wearing a properly secured helmet and following the rules of the road can help prevent serious injuries.