By Murray Sherriffs
Why are politicians, police, bureaucrats and parents so hesitant about getting tough with e-scooters and e-bikes and what they’re doing to our young people.
Some are brain-damaged or are left with broken limbs, facial disfiguration, and other injuries.
Some are in morgues.
Doctors have long labelled motorcycles “donorcycles”.
These vehicles are far more dangerous.
I had one pass me on a secondary road last week: two teens on board, no helmets.
I was doing the 70 km/h speed limit and I was in their dust in a heartbeat.
It was alarming how quickly they disappeared down the road.
I’ve been riding motorcycles for decade and never been down. Close calls, yes—hey, anyone who rides, knows that heart-in-the-throat-quick-breathing-sweaty-palms-you-fucking-asshole-can’t-you-see-me panic.
I know and accept the risks, but I’m older.
The young have to be cared for because their brains are in “…no worries, I’ll live forever’” mode.
They just don’t know how fast that can change and it’s up to us older folks to care for them until they get it.
The Canadian Institute for Health Information data says that the number of young people hurt or killed while riding grows every year.
This is disheartening, but the news is no surprise to doctors in emergency departments and trauma centres across Canada.
The minimum are for riders 16, but 80 per cent of the injured are under 16.
So some parents have bought these things for their children and say “…go for it kid, have at ‘er. You’re only young once!”
Really?
No head protection? No other protective gear.
How about lessons on road rules: you know, ”…stop for a fucking stop sign, look around, be careful, I want you home for dinner.”
These things are marketed as toys.
They aren’t.
They are high-speed motor vehicles, capable of reaching a minimum 45 km/h.
Some communities are part of an e-scooter pilot program that allows riders aged 16 and older to move at speeds up to 24 km/h. Other areas have banned e-scooters on public roads, sidewalks and park pathways, but riders ignore the law because they know police are too busy to enforce.
Quebec recently extended its e-scooter pilot program to 2028, which allows riders as young as 14.
Since it was introduced three years ago, e-scooter and e-bike injuries have increased tenfold.
Montreal Children’s Hospital Trauma Centre director Deborah Friedman, says that 60 per cent of children injured and brought to her hospital this year are under the age of 14.
She has been advocating for Quebec to raise the age to 16, but feels that even that is too young.
She says that there needs to be stricter rules and enforcement of helmets, which she often sees unclipped and inadequately secured in patients who come in with facial fractures.
There needs to be more accountability from retailers for the role that they play in marketing these products to our young.
Policymakers should visit a trauma centre and see firsthand what’s going on.
And mom, dad, get in the game.
The summer holidays are ending.
School begins soon.
The emergency wards are gearing up.
