The Burnaby RCMP have announced a stepped-up enforcement and public-education effort aimed at reducing accidents and injuries involving e-scooters, months after a severe collision on a busy city street that left two children in hospital.
Enforcement focus and recent incident
In a statement, Burnaby RCMP said officers from Traffic Services will be concentrating on common violations that can increase the risk of harm: underage riders, riding in prohibited locations and failing to wear a helmet. The announcement follows a May 2 collision on Hastings Street near Delta Avenue, when an 11-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl riding e-scooters collided with a vehicle. Both children were taken to hospital with what police described as serious and critical injuries.
“We know micro-mobility vehicles have become increasingly popular; however, we want to make sure people are riding according to the rules, for their safety and the safety of those around them,” Sgt. Gary Johal with Burnaby RCMP Traffic Services said in a statement.
What officers will be looking for
RCMP said officers will be both enforcing the rules and educating riders so residents understand how to operate e-scooters safely and legally. Specific areas of attention listed by police include:
- Riders younger than the minimum legal age
- Riding in prohibited areas such as sidewalks and certain arterial roads
- Failure to wear a helmet
- Other infractions that compromise rider or public safety
City restrictions on e-scooter use
The RCMP action takes place against a backdrop of municipal rules Burnaby introduced in late May to limit where and how e-scooters are used. Among the city rules already in place:
| Rule | Summary |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | Riders must be at least 16 years old. |
| Sidewalks and crosswalks | Prohibited unless signage explicitly permits riding. |
| Roads with higher speeds | Riding not allowed on roads with speed limits above 50 km/h unless in a designated cycling lane. |
| Arterial roads | Riding on arterial roads such as Kingsway, Canada Way and Hastings Street is prohibited unless there are designated cycling or multi-use paths. |
| Impairment, devices and visibility | No riding while impaired, no mobile phones or earbuds, and lights/reflectors are mandatory. |
Safety message for parents and riders
Police urged parents to familiarise themselves with the rules and to discuss them with children, adding a clear warning not to permit children to ride illegally. Sgt. Johal emphasised the dual role officers will play: to enforce the bylaws and to provide information that helps riders make safer choices.
For residents who use micro-mobility vehicles, the RCMP and the city rules together signal a tighter approach to managing e-scooter use on Burnaby streets. The emphasis on helmet use, minimum age and restricted riding zones reflects growing concern about the safety implications of increased e-scooter use in mixed traffic and pedestrian areas.
As enforcement ramps up, riders should expect to see more police presence targeting the identified violations and should take care to follow the municipal and provincial requirements designed to keep both riders and the wider public safer.
