A six-year-old boy, DeMari Disna, is confined indoors for the remainder of his summer vacation after being struck by an electric bike in Steinbach. The incident occurred while he was out on a walking trail with his sisters and friends near a soccer park close to his residence. Following the collision, DeMari was rushed to Bethesda Regional Health Centre, where he endured a 19-hour wait before receiving a soft cast for his broken tibia and fibula in the left leg. Subsequently, he was transferred to Winnipeg’s Children’s Hospital for a hard cast placement.
DeMari’s mother, Shannon Broesky, mentioned that despite his resilience, he is already feeling restless due to his active nature. Expressing concern over the incident, Broesky emphasized the need for stricter regulations governing electric bikes to prevent similar accidents. The Manitoba government is currently working on legislation addressing battery-powered bikes and scooters.
Transportation Minister Lisa Naylor extended wishes for DeMari’s prompt recovery and emphasized the government’s commitment to revising regulations for public safety. Similarly, Steinbach’s Mayor, Earl Funk, highlighted the risks associated with fast e-bikes, calling for enhanced regulations and educational efforts to mitigate such incidents.
In response to the incident, discussions within Morden’s council led to the introduction of local bylaws in June, mandating helmet use and adherence to traffic rules for e-bike users. Mayor Nancy Penner stressed the importance of consistent guidelines across municipalities, suggesting that the province should establish clear regulations, particularly concerning the permissible age for operating electric vehicles.
Broesky, while contemplating filing a police report, emphasized the importance of accountability over confrontation. She expressed forgiveness towards the teenage rider involved in the accident, emphasizing the need for understanding and prevention of similar incidents in the future.