Home / Health / Nova Scotia Doctor Urges Higher E-Scooter Age Amidst Injury Surge
Nova Scotia Doctor Urges Higher E-Scooter Age Amidst Injury Surge
22 Aug
Summary
- Eighty patients, including 66 under 16, were treated for e-scooter/e-bike injuries this summer.
- Head and face injuries were most common, with significant fractures also reported.
- Only 79% of child riders and 43% of adults in the study wore helmets.
An emergency room physician in Nova Scotia is calling for an increased minimum age for e-scooter and e-bike riders, based on injury data collected this summer. Dr. Kirstin Weerdenburg observed that 80 patients, with 66 being under 16, sought emergency care for injuries sustained from these devices in the Halifax area.
The preliminary findings indicate that 20 of these patients necessitated trauma team activation, a figure Dr. Weerdenburg considers exceptionally high, highlighting the severity of injuries. The average age of pediatric patients was 13, with the youngest being eight. This data emerges as the province prepares to ban children under 14 from e-bike use this fall.
Most injuries stemmed from riders falling, with heads and faces being the most common injury sites. Fractures of arms and legs were also frequent and often severe. The study revealed suboptimal helmet usage, with less than 80% of children and under half of adults wearing them. Dr. Weerdenburg advises parents to reconsider allowing their children to use these devices and stresses the importance of helmets and proper footwear for all riders.
Additional Canadian data from last week documented 10 pediatric deaths and numerous hospitalizations related to various electric rideables over a 12-month period. Halifax Regional Police can fine underage e-scooter riders, though they currently prioritize an educational approach, engaging with students and parents about safety regulations.
