As the use of e-scooters and e-bikes becomes more prevalent, there are renewed calls for greater safety and awareness. A new national report from the Canadian Paediatric Society highlighted an alarming rate of children sustaining injuries tied to the devices. In 2025, they noted there were 57 severe e-scooter injuries involving children, including 10 deaths. Riding down Ouellette Avenue, Dave Edwards, a regular e-bike user, told CTV News he often sees dangerous use of the motorized vehicles. “I see them going quite fast. They don’t wear helmets,” he said. Edwards said he’s never been in an accident and often moves slowly to avoid potential collisions. “That’s their carelessness. They got to pay attention, drive normal, don’t speed through stop signs,” he added. Windsor rates According to a spokesperson for the Windsor Police Service, six collisions involving e-bikes have been recorded in 2026, and five of those resulted in injuries. In 2025, there were 15 similar collision, which all included injuries. “Our message to the community is simple: E-bike and e-scooter riders are vulnerable road users and need to follow the rules of the road, ride responsibly, and use the proper safety equipment,” wrote Const. Bianca Jackson. “At the same time, motorists have a responsibility to remain alert, give vulnerable road users space, and share the road safely.” On the enforcement side, the police service noted one e-bike rider has been charged with impaired driving this year. In two separate collisions, motor vehicle drivers were also charged under the Highway Traffic Act after hitting e-bikes. At an unrelated news conference, Drew Dilkens, the Mayor of Windsor, told reporters there’s a need for parents to ensure their children are taking all precautionary measures. “If you’re buying your kid a device that can go 40 km/h on a sidewalk or a trail, you really need to make sure your kids are going to be safe, because the last thing you want to do is go to the ICU and have to sit by their bedside when they have a head injury, when they fall off,” Dilkens said. In Ontario, riders of e-scooters and e-bikes must be 16 or older. Riders must always follow the rules of the road and, in some cases, are required to wear a helmet. LaSalle assessing measures Calls and emails about riders not following the rules of the road have been frequent in LaSalle. Crystal Meloche, the town’s Mayor, said they’ve seen several incidents happen on trails and sidewalks. “We’re worried about people walking. These things are whizzing around the corner, and we’ve had a few incidents where someone’s been pushed off the trail. We’ve had someone hit on their bike before,” Meloche told CTV News. In one case, Meloche said she witnessed a device outpacing the rest of traffic. In recent months, the LaSalle Police Service has conducted awareness programming to educate riders who aren’t following the rules. However, as the issues persist, the police service will consider issuing tickets under the Highway Safety Act. Off the roads, LaSalle Town Council is asking staff to examine tools to enforce rules on sidewalks and trails. “So, we’ve asked the administration to provide us with a report to kind of help us guide through the next process of what we can do to ensure safety on our trail network,” Meloche said. Because the devices are relatively new, municipalities across Ontario have differing approaches to enforce their rules. Though there’s no timeline for when a report could return to council, Meloche encouraged riders to be cautious, and parents to ensure their children are following the rules. “Hopefully, parents will take those steps to look at to their youth who are of age to drive them and make sure that they have those features on their bikes or scooters or whatever it is that they’re driving around town,” she said. “We get the comment every so often, let kids be kids, and I have to agree with that, but safety does have to come first.”
