‘Put on the damn helmet’: Vancouver comedian urges safety following e-scooter collision

A Vancouver comedian has called for e-scooter riders to prioritize safety measures following a collision she experienced last month. Jessica Pigeau, who was riding north on Alder Street on July 19, said she narrowly escaped serious injury thanks to her helmet. The incident occurred when a southbound SUV suddenly turned left in front of her, causing her to crash into the vehicle's passenger side.

Pigeau, travelling at around 15-20 kilometers per hour, was fortunate to have her helmet on as it potentially prevented a hospital visit. She believes that had she not been wearing the helmet, she would have suffered a concussion or a broken nose.

Tragically, a similar incident resulted in another person's death earlier in July. Shyan Lolly, a 30-year-old e-scooter rider, collided with a vehicle on July 3 near Venables Street and Commercial Drive while not wearing a helmet. She suffered severe head injuries upon impact and passed away on July 11. Her family has since implored e-scooter riders to always wear helmets.

The Community Against Preventable Injuries has reported a significant increase in e-scooter-related injuries in British Columbia over the past few years. Dr. Ian Pike, co-executive director of the organization, said there have been approximately 175 to 180 adult-related scooter injuries severe enough to require hospitalization. He emphasized that these statistics are likely underestimations due to the province's data capture systems struggling to keep up with the evolving nature of e-scooter usage.

According to Pike, trauma-related e-scooter injuries among children aged 10 to 14 have tripled in the same period, rising from five to 15 cases. He urged parents not to allow their children under the age of 16 to operate e-scooters illegally and stressed the importance of riders taking all necessary safety precautions, including wearing helmets and other protective gear.

Pike also noted that some jurisdictions have implemented a learner's driver's license requirement for e-scooter operation, which he believes is a sensible measure.