Advisory
2001-99
September 7, 2001
Health Canada and Transport Canada advise Canadians about scooter safety
OTTAWA - Scooters are becoming more and more popular in Canada, and the number of related injuries is also on the rise. Many of these injuries can be prevented by following Health Canada's and Transport Canada's recommendations:
- Always wear a certified helmet, as well as knee and elbow pads.
- Check all fasteners (e.g., nuts and bolts) for tightness.
- Make sure both the handle bars and the steering column are fully locked into position before use.
- Ride on smooth paved surfaces and away from motor vehicle traffic.
- Avoid riding on surfaces that are wet or uneven, or on sand or gravel.
- Never ride the scooter at night.
- Always supervise children under the age of 8.
Canadians should also be aware that Transport Canada considers motorized scooters restricted-use motorcycles. Therefore, under the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, they must bear a label indicating that the vehicle is not intended for use on public roads. For details on where motorized scooters can be used, and for age restrictions or recommendations, please consult your provincial/territorial Ministry of Transportation.
For more information on scooters, please visit Health Canada's website at
www.hc-sc.gc.ca or Transport Canada's website at :  www.tc.gc.ca . A report on scooter injuries currently entered into the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) database is available on the Internet.
You can also contact the nearest regional Product Safety Office of Health Canada listed below:
-30-
Media Inquiries:
Andrew Swift
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988
Karyn Curtis
Transport Canada
(613) 990-6770
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