BURST
A woman has died and another was sent to hospital with serious injuries after two separate electric kick scooter accidents in Vancouver this month, prompting police to issue a safety warning about helmets and e-scooters.
“We are not intending to go out and ticket riders of electric kick scooters,” said Sgt. Adam Donaldson. “We want the helmet message to get out there so we can prevent tragic deaths like we had over the weekend.”
According to police, the fatal accident unfolded in east Vancouver around 10 a.m. on July 3.
A 30-year-old woman with no helmet was riding her e-scooter westbound on Venables when she struck the side of a vehicle near Commercial Drive.
“The woman struck her head on the ground, and the driver of the vehicle stopped immediately,” said police in a news release on Tuesday.
“The woman was conscious when she was transported to hospital but unfortunately died from her injuries on July 11.”
The second e-scooter accident took place Sunday around 2 p.m. in Coal Harbour.
Police said a 54-year-old woman was on an e-scooter near Coal Harbour Quay and Nicola Street, when she was hit from behind by a man riding another e-scooter.
The woman was taken to hospital with a head injury and a broken collarbone. Police say she is expected to recover.
“Neither victim was wearing a helmet while riding,” said Donaldson, who confirmed both women were B.C. residents and that both e-scooters were shared or rental e-scooters.
“In both incidents, a helmet may not have prevented the collisions, but it could have significantly reduced the severity of the injuries. Please make sure to wear a properly fitted helmet and ensure it is secured appropriately.”
E-scooters are only permitted in municipalities where a pilot project is underway, such as in Vancouver or Coquitlam.
By law, those riding or operating an e-scooter must wear a bicycle safety helmet. The fine for not wearing a helmet on an e-scooter is $29.