Injuries from e-scooters and e-bikes among children prompt call for stricter age limits in Nova Scotia
An emergency room doctor in Nova Scotia is urging the province to consider increasing the minimum age for e-scooter and e-bike riders beyond the current age of 14. Dr. Kirstin Weerdenburg, a pediatric emergency physician at the IWK Health Centre, has been collecting injury data from Halifax-area hospitals since the end of May.
Weerdenburg’s research revealed that out of 80 patients treated, 66 were under 16 years old, and 20 required trauma team intervention. The findings indicate a concerning level of severity in the injuries sustained, highlighting the need for heightened caution regarding the use of these devices and their operational speeds.
According to the preliminary data, the median age of injured patients at the IWK Health Centre was 13, with the youngest patient being just eight years old. As Nova Scotia prepares to implement a ban on children under 14 riding electric bikes, Weerdenburg suggests that the current age restrictions for e-scooters and e-bikes should be reevaluated.
The study underscored that most injuries resulted from falls off the devices rather than collisions. Common injuries included head and facial trauma, scrapes, cuts, and fractures of the arms and legs, some of which were severe. The majority of incidents occurred on roads, with personal e-scooters and e-bikes being used more frequently than rentals.
Weerdenburg emphasized the importance of wearing helmets and appropriate footwear while riding, as well as restricting each device to a single rider. Notably, helmet usage among children and adults in the study was found to be suboptimal.
The doctor’s advice to parents is to reconsider allowing their children to use e-scooters and e-bikes for safety reasons. She also acknowledged that the data may not capture all incidents, as some individuals may opt not to seek medical assistance following an accident.
Weerdenburg plans to continue gathering data on e-scooter and e-bike injuries until winter. A recent report by the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program highlighted the serious nature of injuries and fatalities related to various electric mobility devices across Canada.
In response to the growing concerns, Halifax Regional Police have the authority to issue fines to underage riders or their guardians, with a focus on educating youth about safety regulations. As discussions around age restrictions for e-scooter and e-bike use continue, Weerdenburg advocates for stricter measures to safeguard the well-being of riders in Nova Scotia.
