Dr. Kirstin Weerdenburg, a pediatric emergency physician and trauma team leader at the IWK Health Centre, has been analyzing injury data from Halifax-area hospitals this summer. She suggests that Nova Scotia should consider increasing the minimum age for e-scooter and e-bike riders beyond 14, based on her findings.
Weerdenburg’s research, which includes information from the IWK and other emergency departments in the Halifax Regional Municipality, revealed that out of 80 patients, 66 were under 16, and 20 required trauma team intervention. The study found that most injuries were due to falls from e-scooters or e-bikes, with the head and face being the most commonly affected areas.
The median age of the patients at the IWK was 13, and the youngest injured individual was eight years old. Weerdenburg emphasized the severity of injuries observed and suggested that stricter regulations on e-scooter and e-bike usage may be necessary for public safety.
As the province plans to prohibit children under 14 from riding electric bikes, Weerdenburg advocates for even higher age restrictions based on the demographics of injured riders in her study. She highlighted the importance of wearing helmets and proper footwear, and recommended that only one rider should be on a device at a time.
Overall, Weerdenburg’s study underscores the need for increased safety measures and age restrictions for e-scooters and e-bikes to prevent injuries and promote safer riding practices.