DeMari Disna, a six-year-old boy from Steinbach, is confined indoors for the remainder of his summer vacation due to being struck by an electric bike. While walking with his older sisters and friends on a trail near their home at a soccer park, a youth on an e-bike collided with him. DeMari’s mother, Shannon Broesky, rushed him to Bethesda Regional Health Centre, where he endured a 19-hour wait before receiving a soft cast for his broken left tibia and fibula.
Subsequently, DeMari was transferred to the Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg for a hard cast placement on his leg. Despite his resilient spirit, Broesky mentioned that her active son, who had just received a trampoline and bike for his birthday in July, will have to abstain from physical activities for some time.
Broesky is advocating for enhanced regulations concerning e-bikes following the incident, emphasizing that she had not been overly concerned until it affected her son. The Manitoba government is currently working on legislation regarding the usage of battery-powered bikes and scooters.
Transportation Minister Lisa Naylor expressed concern over the incident, pledging to prioritize the safety of Manitobans by updating regulations to ensure safe use of roads and public spaces. Steinbach’s mayor, Earl Funk, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the potential dangers of e-bikes in inexperienced hands and emphasizing the need for stricter regulations and educational efforts.
In contrast, the City of Morden has already implemented its own bylaws in June, mandating helmet usage, compliance with traffic signals, and prohibition of e-bike use on sidewalks. Mayor Nancy Penner emphasized the necessity for consistent guidelines across municipalities and suggested that the province should impose age restrictions on e-bike and e-scooter users to enhance safety.
Broesky, while considering filing a report with the police to document the incident, emphasized forgiveness towards the teenage girl on the e-bike and stressed the importance of accountability rather than confrontation. She acknowledged the potential for accidents and the need for understanding and education within the community to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
