Electric bikes and scooters under scrutiny by the Road Injury Research Foundation

Electric bikes and scooters under scrutiny by the Road Injury Research Foundation

As alternative modes of transportation such as electric bicycles and scooters grow in popularity, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) commissioned a study to document the impact of micromobility on road safety. CAA-Quebec welcomes the study’s findings and hopes to be a strong voice for better regulation of these modes of transportation.

The study provides an overview of provincial regulations on electric bicycles and scooters and presents the results of Canadian and international research on the risks associated with their use. Its conclusions offer road users essential insights into this mode of transportation and provide provincial and municipal authorities with guidance on regulation and legislation. Simon Bourassa of CAA-Quebec discusses the findings of this study:

CAA-Québec believes that a clear definition of what constitutes an electric bicycle must be established and that guidelines must be put in place to regulate, among other things, where electric bicycles and scooters are permitted to be ridden and the speed limits for these devices. The available data on the safety risks associated with micromobility are limited, but the most recent research shows that the severity of the most common injuries is higher because falls and accidents occur at higher speeds. International studies also confirm that riding on sidewalks is a major cause of injuries related to electric scooters. Simon Bourassa explains what should be changed in the regulations according to CAA-Québec: