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Vancouver comedian urges helmet use after e-scooter collision
Jessica Pigeau says a helmet likely prevented serious injury when her e-scooter collided with an SUV in Vancouver last month, as injury-prevention advocates warn of rising cases.
Vancouver comedian Jessica Pigeau is urging e-scooter riders to wear helmets after she says one protected her from serious injury in a collision last month.
Pigeau said she was travelling north on Alder Street between West 11th and West 12th avenues on July 19 when a southbound SUV turned left in front of her. She said she was travelling about 15 to 20 kilometres an hour when she struck the passenger side and her head hit the hood.
Her e-scooter was badly damaged, but Pigeau said she suffered only light bruising. She said she believes she would otherwise have needed hospital care and could have sustained a concussion or broken nose.
Vancouver police are also increasing safety messaging after 30-year-old Shyan Lolly died following a July 3 scooter collision near Venables Street and Commercial Drive. Police said Lolly, who was not wearing a helmet, hit her head and died in hospital on July 11.
Dr. Ian Pike of Community Against Preventable Injuries said B.C. has recorded roughly 175 to 180 adult scooter injuries requiring hospitalization in recent years. At BC Children's Hospital, e-scooter fall or collision cases rose from about 37 to 80 over two years, while trauma-related cases among children aged 10 to 14 rose from five to 15.