ON Sunday, December 21 at approximately 12 p.m., New Westminster Police patrol members responded to a collision at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and 7th Street involving the driver of a motor vehicle and the rider of an electric kick scooter.
Officers saw that the operator of the electric scooter had suffered injuries, for which he was transported to a local area hospital where they were determined to be non-life threatening. The driver of the motor vehicle remained on scene and was cooperative with the police investigation.
Following several recent collisions in which young people were injured operating electric scooters, one as young as 12 years of age, the New Westminster Police are urging parents to consider the risks e-scooters pose to riders.
New Westminster is not a part of the Government of British Columbia’s Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project, meaning e-scooters are currently illegal on public roads and sidewalks. In cities that are participating in the pilot project, the minimum age for riders is 16, while helmets and speed limits are also required.
“While we recognize that electric kick scooters can be a convenient way to get around, currently their use on public roads and sidewalks in New Westminster is not legal,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver on Monday. “We are continuing an active campaign of education, and enforcement where necessary, to prevent further collisions, serious injuries, or worse. We’re asking riders and parents to understand the rules and help us keep everyone safe.”
New Westminster Police acknowledged and thanked the members of the public who stopped at the scene to provide assistance.
