As the holiday shopping rush ensues in Calgary, medical professionals are urging parents to reconsider purchasing electric scooters for their children. Dr. Stephanie VandenBerg, an emergency department physician in Calgary, strongly advises against giving e-scooters as Christmas gifts due to safety concerns and ambiguous regulations surrounding private e-scooter use.
VandenBerg, who previously collaborated with the City of Calgary during the introduction of shared e-scooters in 2019, emphasized the risks posed by e-scooter usage, especially for minors. Factors such as rapid acceleration, lack of balance and core stability, and the underdeveloped decision-making capabilities of young individuals contribute to the peril associated with e-scooter use.
Data from Alberta Health Services reveals that between January 2022 and August 2025, Calgary-zone emergency departments and urgent care centers treated 3,660 e-scooter-related injuries. Notably, the incidence of injuries among individuals aged 17 and below surged by nearly 68% from 2022 to 2025.
Kathy Belton, the director of the University of Alberta’s Injury Prevention Centre, highlighted the importance of understanding e-scooter laws. Private e-scooters are prohibited on public roads in Alberta, with exceptions for bike lanes in Calgary under specific speed restrictions. Minister Devin Dreeshen indicated potential revisions to e-scooter regulations in Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act to accommodate emerging transportation options like e-scooters.
While age restrictions apply to rented e-scooters, private e-scooters have no such limitations. However, Belton recommended that individuals under 16 refrain from using private e-scooters. She advocated for legislative measures to enhance e-scooter safety standards.
Sualeh Nauman, the owner of Voltz eBikes in Calgary, acknowledged the benefits of e-scooter usage but emphasized the importance of adhering to safety guidelines. Nauman advocated for educating young users on responsible e-scooter practices rather than outright prohibition, drawing parallels to car safety regulations.
Nauman stressed the necessity of compliance with municipal laws and the usage of helmets, especially for younger riders. He advised consumers to opt for certified e-scooters despite potential higher costs to ensure quality and safety.