Authorities address safety and regulation of e-scooters and e-bikes

Municipal leaders and law enforcement in Australia and Canada are addressing safety concerns and regulatory gaps regarding the use of e-scooters and e-bikes.

In Young, New South Wales, local business owners have raised alarms about fast-moving e-scooters and e-bikes on footpaths, noting that elderly residents feel increasingly unsafe. Inspector Ben Granger of the Young Police confirmed that under current NSW law, riding privately owned e-scooters in public spaces is illegal, as the town is not part of a designated shared e-scooter trial.

In British Columbia, Canada, municipal leaders are calling for the provincial government to implement a uniform approach to personal electric vehicle use. Mayors from New Westminster and Langley City noted that the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act has not kept pace with evolving transportation technologies. The RCMP has also highlighted dangerous trends, including underage riders on electric motorcycles attempting to provoke police pursuits.