A 15-year-old riding an e-scooter along Metral Dr. escaped serious injury after a relatively high speed collision with a turning van Tuesday afternoon. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

speed a factor

Driver & youth deemed at fault for Nanaimo e-scooter collision with van

Jun 24, 2026 | 2:06 PM

NANAIMO — A 15-year-old local boy was lucky to escape without more serious injuries after a crash involving his e-scooter and a vehicle.

The incident happened on Tuesday, June 23, at around 2 p.m. and saw the 15-year-old travelling southbound down Metral Dr. when a turning Ford van at Bergen Op Zoom Dr. crossed into the dedicated bike lane.

Nanaimo RCMP Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW the helmetless youth collided with the driver’s side door of the car and was thrown to the ground, suffering some non-life-threatening injuries.

“The driver of the car had to yield to the scooter, and the youth was not meeting the minimum age for the kick scooter pilot project, as he was only 15 years of age, and he was also operating without a helmet.”

The scooter involved in the incident, riden by a 15-year-old boy who was without a helmet. (Image Credit: Nanaimo RCMP)

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The 36-year-old driver of the van, along with the 15-year-old, were ticketed under the Motor Vehicle Act for their respective offences.

O’Brien noted they believe speed, from the youth, was a factor in the collision.

“There wasn’t a ticket issued for that, but it was deemed to be at least 30 kilometres per hour, if not higher, and that’s an extremely dangerous situation when you’re operating a scooter at that speed and with no helmet.”

The maximum allowable speed for e-scooters is 25 kilometres per hour.

The crash comes amid a ride in popularity for e-scooters and e-bikes, along with increased infrastructure being installed across Nanaimo.

O’Brien said the rules of the road are paramount, and everyone shares responsibility for others’ safety.

“It’s a good reminder to recognize there’s a shared responsibility that exists between drivers and those using other means of transportation. When the drivers are turning and crossing roadways, they have to check right and left. These devices are very quiet, and collisions are inevitable if they don’t share the roadway.”

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by NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Driver & youth deemed at fault for Nanaimo e-scooter collision with van

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