Ottawa families with teens zipping around on e-scooters and e-bikes have new reason to pay attention. A new report has found that 10 Canadian youths died from injuries sustained while riding e-scooters or e-bikes in 2025, and doctors say the patchwork of rules across provinces and territories may be putting young riders at unnecessary risk.
A patchwork of rules
According to the report, doctors across Canada are raising the alarm over how inconsistent the regulations are when it comes to what age a young person can legally use an e-scooter or e-bike. Some jurisdictions set minimum ages for riders, while others have few or no restrictions at all. The result, physicians say, is confusion for parents and gaps that leave some of the youngest and most inexperienced riders without clear guardrails.
The injuries and deaths tied to these devices aren't confined to any one age group either — the report notes that youth of all ages have been affected, from younger kids to older teens who may be riding at higher speeds on busier roads.
Why this matters in Ottawa
Ottawa has increasingly embraced micromobility in recent years, with shared e-scooter programs operating seasonally on city streets and multi-use pathways, and e-bikes becoming a more common sight for commuters and teens alike. Like many Canadian municipalities, Ottawa sets its own local rules around where e-scooters and e-bikes can be ridden — including helmet expectations and pathway restrictions — layered on top of provincial regulations. That local-meets-provincial patchwork is exactly the kind of inconsistency the report's doctors are flagging as a nationwide problem, and it's a reminder for Ottawa parents to check both city and Ontario rules before handing a teen the keys to an e-scooter or e-bike.
What doctors are calling for
Physicians involved in the report are pushing for clearer, more consistent national standards so that families — whether in Ottawa, Toronto, or a small town in another province — aren't left guessing about what's safe and what's legal. Until then, safety advocates recommend the basics: always wear a helmet, follow posted speed limits on pathways, and make sure younger riders are supervised or restricted to age-appropriate devices.
For Ottawa parents navigating the world of e-scooters and e-bikes with their kids, the takeaway is simple — check the local bylaws, don't assume the rules are the same as in the next city over, and treat these devices with the same caution as any other vehicle on the road.
Source: Global News Ottawa
