Electric Scooters: Ride Safely!  –

The popularity of electric scooters has taken off in Vancouver, including in Hastings Sunrise.

They feature software connectivity to a smart phone providing a digital dashboard. They can charge quickly and travel more than 50 kilometers on a charge, operating quietly with small, powerful electric motors.

Unlike the non-electric scooters of our youth, they are larger, faster (up to 28 kph), and easy to access at stations around the city.

They are easy to rent or buy, fun to ride and handy for short trips. But they can be dangerous – even deadly.

Injuries to riders more than doubled in 2025-26, according to Children’s Hospital, and more than half involved children aged 13 to 15, below BC’s legal riding age of 16. One rider, a 30-year-old woman, died after she collided with a vehicle July 3. She was not wearing a helmet. Others have been hit by e-scooters.

To riders: Before heading out, learn your e-scooter’s capability and features. Then ride safely.

• Know the rules of scooter operation and rules of the road. See https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/ content/transportation/drivingand-cycling/cycling/electric-kickscooter-rules
• Be at least 16 years old • Ride alone – no passengers. No bags on handlebars
• Use hand signals to stop or turn. Use a bell or horn
• Stay off sidewalks and major roads
• Practice cornering, braking and signaling
• Wear a snug helmet
• Avoid riding after dark, or wear high visibility clothing and use lights

Be mindful of your surroundings. Stay alert and stay off any electronic devices for entertainment or direction finding. Scooters are quiet, so let others know when you intend to pass. Use the city-wide cycling routes network to stay out of faster vehicular traffic and watch for roadway hazards of uneven terrain, pot holes or debris which can cause a loss of traction or control.

While today’s scooters are efficient for short trips and errands, they need to be enjoyed safely while sharing the roadways with other users. Hopefully these tips will make your riding safer and enjoyable for all who share our common pathways.

 For details of Vancouver City e-scooter regulations – and more helpful riding tips – see: https://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/ electric-kick-scooters.aspx