Vancouver police are reminding the public that helmets are legally required when riding e-bikes and electric kick scooters, following a fatal collision and a separate incident that left a woman seriously injured.
A 30-year-old woman died after a scooter collision on July 3. According to the news release, the incident happened in the area of Venables Street and Commercial Drive at approximately 10:00 a.m. The scooter operator was travelling westbound on Venables Street when she collided with the side of a vehicle and struck her head on the ground. The driver stopped immediately, and the woman was conscious when she was taken to hospital. She died from her injuries on July 11.
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In a separate incident on Sunday, a woman riding an electric kick scooter was struck from behind by a man riding another electric kick scooter in Coal Harbour. According to the news release, the collision occurred near Coal Harbour Quay and Nicola Street at approximately 2:00 p.m. The 54-year-old woman was taken to hospital with a head injury and a broken collarbone but is expected to recover.
“Neither victim was wearing a helmet while riding,” said Sergeant Adam Donaldson of the Vancouver Police Department. “In both incidents, a helmet may not have prevented the collisions, but it could have significantly reduced the severity of the injuries. Please make sure to wear a properly fitted helmet and ensure it is secured appropriately.”
Under Section 19 of the Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project Regulation of the BC Motor Vehicle Act, operators must wear a bicycle safety helmet that meets the requirements set out in Section 184(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act, the news release noted.
