Fatal collision in Vancouver prompts calls for ‘clearer rules’ on e-scooter use

A woman has died following an early morning e-scooter collision with a transit bus in downtown Vancouver, prompting renewed calls for clearer regulations and stronger enforcement of e-scooter use across British Columbia.

A man and woman were riding an e-scooter along Seymour Street around 5:30a.m. Saturday when they collided with a transit bus at the intersection of West Pender Street.

Neither was wearing a helmet, according to Vancouver police. The woman died at the scene.

The VPD's Collision Investigation Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Vancouver Councillor Mike Klassen expressed condolences to the victim's family while calling for governments to address growing safety concerns surrounding e-scooters.

“A terrible tragedy. My heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones,” Klassen wrote on X. “The growing use of e-scooters raises serious public safety questions that cities and the Province must confront. We need clearer rules, better enforcement and greater awareness of the risks before more lives are lost.”

The incident comes as municipalities across BC push for consistent province-wide regulations governing electric kick scooters.

At the 2026 Union of BC Municipalities convention, delegates endorsed a resolution brought forward by New Westminster calling on the provincial government to conclude its Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Program and establish province-wide regulations.

The resolution cited inconsistent municipal enforcement, uncertainty surrounding safety requirements, and a lack of province-wide safety data collection and public education programs.

Under BC's existing e-scooter pilot program, riders must be at least 16 years old, wear a helmet, and cannot carry passengers. E-scooters are also limited to a maximum speed capability of 25 km/h.

The pilot program is scheduled to run until April 2028, but the UBCM resolution calls on the province to end the pilot and introduce permanent, standardized regulations across BC.

During the UBCM convention, proponents of standardized regulations argued that the current approach makes it difficult for riders to understand their responsibilities.

"[Now] there isn’t clear provincial regulation — so if people are looking to do the right thing, there’s nowhere to look," one proponent said.

Speaking to Sitka Media at the convention, proponents also addressed why they believe consistent regulations are needed in both larger cities and smaller communities.

Police have not determined what caused Saturday's collision or whether any violations contributed to the incident.

Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam, security, or cellphone footage to contact the VPD's Collision Investigation Unit at 604-717-3012 or vpdciu@vpd.ca.