A six-year-old boy named DeMari Disna from Steinbach is confined indoors for the remainder of his summer vacation following an incident where he was struck by an electric bike. DeMari was accompanying his older sisters and friends on a stroll at a soccer park near his residence when a young individual riding an e-bike collided with him.
After the accident, DeMari’s mother, Shannon Broesky, rushed him to Bethesda Regional Health Centre, where they endured a 19-hour wait before a soft cast was applied to his left leg, which was found to have both the tibia and fibula broken. Subsequently, DeMari was transferred to the Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg for a more secure hard cast placement.
According to Broesky, DeMari, known for his high energy, is adjusting to his situation, although he is already feeling bored. She mentioned that he had recently received a trampoline and bike for his birthday in July, but he won’t be able to enjoy them for a while now.
The unfortunate incident has prompted Broesky to advocate for enhanced regulations concerning e-bikes, citing previous near-misses she has observed but hadn’t been overly concerned about until it affected her son. The Manitoba government is currently working on legislation related to battery-powered bikes and scooters.
Transportation Minister Lisa Naylor expressed concern over the incident and emphasized the government’s commitment to reviewing and updating regulations to ensure public safety. Steinbach’s mayor, Earl Funk, also voiced his distress over the injuries and highlighted the potential dangers of e-bikes in inexperienced hands.
Local governments, such as the City of Morden, have taken proactive measures by implementing bylaws regulating the use of electric vehicles, including helmet requirements and adherence to traffic signals. Mayor Nancy Penner of Morden stressed the need for consistent guidelines across the province, particularly regarding age restrictions for e-bike and e-scooter usage.
Broesky has been encouraged to report the incident to the police for documentation purposes, although she is not seeking legal actions against the teenager involved. Instead, she aims for accountability and understanding, emphasizing forgiveness and the importance of learning from such accidents to prevent future harm.