The Quebec government announced on Saturday that its e‑scooter pilot program will now run through 2028, despite warnings from medical doctors that existing rules fail to safeguard children from serious injuries. The decision extends a temporary initiative that was introduced earlier in the province to assess the impact of electric scooters on urban mobility.
Health professionals involved in the review have emphasized that the current regulatory framework does not provide sufficient protection for younger riders. Their assessment points to gaps in speed limits, helmet requirements and designated riding areas, which they argue leave children vulnerable to accidents that could result in severe harm.
Provincial officials indicated that the extension will allow more time to gather data and evaluate the effectiveness of the program. They noted that the pilot was intended to inform longer‑term policy, and that continuing it until 2028 will help refine safety standards based on real‑world usage patterns.
The medical community has called for stricter measures, urging the government to consider tighter controls such as mandatory protective gear for all riders, clearer age restrictions, and designated zones separate from pedestrian traffic. Their concerns stem from observations of injuries sustained by children riding e‑scooters under the present rules.
While the government has not detailed specific changes to the regulations at this stage, it acknowledged the doctors’ input and said that the extended timeline will include a review of safety protocols. The province aims to balance the growing popularity of e‑scooters with the need to protect vulnerable road users.
Stakeholders, including city planners and transportation advocates, will monitor how the extended pilot influences both mobility options and public health outcomes. The continuation of the program until 2028 signals that Quebec intends to keep the conversation about e‑scooter safety open, while still allowing the technology to be tested across its urban centres.