Maple Ridge launches e-scooter safety campaign as youth incidents rise

Maple Ridge is reminding residents that e-scooters remain illegal on public roads, sidewalks and bike lanes, as the city and RCMP launch a summer-long education and enforcement campaign in response to a growing number of crashes involving young riders.

The campaign, announced June 29, comes as the city says it is seeing a rise in e-scooter use among youth, leading to unsafe riding and collisions.

Mayor Dan Ruimy said the campaign is intended to help families understand that different types of electric transportation devices are subject to different rules.

He noted that the regulations are set by the province under the Motor Vehicle Act and said not every device can legally operate on public streets, sidewalks or trails in Maple Ridge.

“As e-scooters and other personal mobility devices become more common, it’s important that riders and parents understand the rules before they buy or use them,” Ruimy said.

Under current provincial legislation, electric kick scooters can only be used in municipalities participating in British Columbia’s Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project. Maple Ridge is not one of those communities, meaning e-scooters cannot legally be ridden on public roads, sidewalks, bike lanes or multi-use paths along roads.

Instead, they are only permitted in certain designated areas within parks and cannot be ridden on roads or sidewalks to reach those locations.

Throughout the summer and into the back-to-school season, residents will see educational materials online, in schools and at community events explaining the differences between e-scooters, e-bikes, e-dirt bikes and limited-speed motorcycles, including where each can legally be ridden, age requirements and safety equipment.

According to Maple Ridge RCMP, officers are responding to an increasing number of incidents involving young riders.

“We’re responding to more incidents involving young riders, and many of those incidents are preventable,” said new superintendent Martin Guay. “Our goal is to educate riders and parents, so they understand the law, make safe choices and help prevent serious injuries.”

Police said enforcement will continue throughout the campaign, with riders caught operating e-scooters in prohibited areas facing violation tickets and the possibility of having their scooter seized.

The city said parents or guardians can also receive violation tickets for allowing underage youth to operate an e-bike or e-scooter.

While e-scooters remain prohibited on most public infrastructure, the rules differ for other micromobility devices. E-bikes are allowed wherever bicycles are permitted, provided riders follow bicycle traffic laws and wear helmets. Limited-speed motorcycles require a driver’s licence, registration and insurance and are only permitted on roads, while mini motorcycles and e-dirt bikes are restricted to private property or approved off-road areas.

Michelle Adams, the city’s director of bylaw services and community safety, said education will be the primary focus, but enforcement will be used when necessary.

“Education is always our first approach, but enforcement is necessary when unsafe or illegal riding within our parks puts people at risk,” Adams said.

Maple Ridge said it will continue monitoring the province’s e-scooter pilot program as it considers future policy decisions.

On June 22 a youth driving an e-scooter was hospitalized following a vehicle incident on 232 Street and 124 Avenue, leading to serious injuries.