Nova Scotia Bans Children Under 14 From E-Bikes

The Government of Nova Scotia plans to prohibit children under the age of 14 from riding electric bikes starting this fall. Public Works Minister Fred Tilley announced that the province will implement this age restriction through amendments to the Traffic Safety Act.

This measure expands upon a 2022 regulation that already banned children under 14 from using e-scooters. The decision follows data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information showing a 32 percent increase in e-scooter hospitalizations across Canada during the 2023-2024 period, totaling 498 incidents. Tilley noted that evolving technology allows e-bikes and e-scooters to travel at higher speeds, necessitating the safety update.

The announcement follows a correction of an August 6 report by The Canadian Press, which had incorrectly stated the province was planning a new ban on both e-scooters and e-bikes. The government clarified that the e-scooter restriction was already in place and the new legislation specifically targets e-bikes.