Windsor’s mayor is urging parents and young riders to take e-bike and e-scooter safety seriously, as police report several collisions involving the devices this year.
Drew Dilkens says there’s growing concern over the devices not being used properly, and that parents need to teach their kids best practices.
Windsor Police have recorded six e-bike collisions so far in 2026, with five resulting in injuries. That’s compared to 15 e-bike-related collisions in all of 2025 - all of which involved injuries.
In Windsor, e-scooter riders must be at least 16-years-old, while helmets are mandatory for riders under 18. E-bike riders must also be at least 16, while the e-bikes must have functional pedals, meet provincial power requirements and have a maximum speed of 32 km/h.
The city allows e-scooters on roadways with speed limits of 50 kilometres an hour or less, as well as the Riverfront Pathway and designated paved park paths. General city sidewalks and most recreational and neighbourhood park trails are off-limits to e-scooters.
Dilkens says some of the behaviour he’s seeing on city streets and trails is concerning.
“I think it’s fair to say if you just drive around the city, you see what a lot of parents would consider to be pretty dangerous behaviour by some young people who have those scooters. And so much like a parent would do with a young person riding a bike where you have them wear a helmet, we would encourage the same type of behaviour here for those who are using e-scooters.”
He says council wanted to address liability concerns in the renegotiation of Bird Canada operating e-scooters and e-bikes in the city earlier this year.
“There’s no doubt there are claims for people who are injured riding e-bikes. It doesn’t mean the city’s liable. But it certainly shows that people are filing claims because of injury. And I think when you back out some of the material that you’re seeing, what really needs to happen is people need to take safety precautions when they’re using these devices.”
He says enforcement can be challenging, particularly when young people are involved. He adds that parents have a major role to play.
“There’s little value in issuing a ticket to a 15-year-old, right, or a 14-year-old. It really requires strong parental intervention to make sure that their kids are behaving in a safe way and taking appropriate safety precautions. If you’re buying your kid a device that can go 40 kilometres an hour on a sidewalk or a trail, you really need to make sure your kid’s going to be safe.”
Police say one e-bike rider has been charged with impaired driving this year. In two other collisions, drivers of motor vehicles were found at fault and charged under the Highway Traffic Act after striking e-bike riders.
Windsor Police are reminding both riders and motorists that e-bike and e-scooter users are vulnerable road users. Riders are urged to follow the rules of the road, use proper safety equipment and ride responsibly.
Motorists are also being reminded to remain alert, give vulnerable road users space and share the road safely.