Viral couch-on-scooters video raises questions about VPD discretion

A video of two men using e-scooters to move a couch in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant neighbourhood has drawn attention not only for the stunt, but for an officer's response.

The video, posted by the Lime Scoot Boyz, shows founder Everest Hughes and a friend transporting a Facebook Marketplace couch on a side street a few weeks ago. A Vancouver Police Department cruiser passes them, and the officer leaves without issuing a ticket despite the pair not wearing helmets.

Former Winnipeg police chief Dave Cassels called the encounter dangerous and said the officer should at least have warned the men about the risks to themselves and others. VPD Chief Const. Steve Rai said officers are permitted to exercise discretion and that, in this case, the officer chose not to take a punitive approach.

Asked whether the response would have been the same elsewhere in the city, including the Downtown Eastside, Rai said it was a fair question and said police try to train bias out of their work.

Under the Motor Vehicle Act, the fine for riding without a helmet is $29, while riding without due care and attention can bring a $109 fine. The Ministry of Transportation and Transit says using an electric kick scooter without a helmet or in an unsafe manner is illegal and can result in tickets. Hughes acknowledged he was not wearing a helmet and urged less experienced riders to take precautions.