Safety concerns drive calls for stricter e-bike and e-scooter regulations

Local government bodies and health organizations in Australia and Canada are calling for stricter regulations and improved safety measures regarding e-bikes and e-scooters following rising safety concerns.

In South Australia, the Local Government Association has recommended a national e-bike standard based on European norms to ensure devices behave like bicycles rather than motorbikes. Local councils have reported increasing community concerns regarding illegal devices, unsafe riding speeds, and pedestrians being unable to give way to riders. Recommendations include strengthened enforcement, better rider education, and improved active transport infrastructure.

In Canada, data from the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program highlights a rise in severe injuries among children. In 2025, ten children died using electronic micromobility devices, with 57 pediatric patients requiring intensive care or prolonged hospital stays. While many provinces set a minimum riding age of 16, approximately 80 per cent of reported cases involved children under that age, prompting discussions regarding stricter riding rules and policy interventions.