A six-year-old boy named DeMari Disna is confined indoors for the remainder of the summer following an incident where he was struck by an electric bicycle in Steinbach. The mishap occurred while DeMari was with his siblings and friends on a walking trail near a soccer park close to his residence. His 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 leg’s tibia and fibula. Subsequently, DeMari was transferred to the Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg for a more secure hard cast placement.
Despite his resilient spirit, DeMari, described as a highly energetic child who had recently received a trampoline and bike for his birthday, is now facing a period of inactivity. According to Broesky, the accident involved a teenage girl on an e-bike veering into DeMari, as recounted by his sisters. Broesky is advocating for more stringent regulations governing such electronic vehicles, having witnessed other near misses in the area but only becoming deeply concerned when her son was directly affected.
Transportation Minister Lisa Naylor expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety on roads and public spaces through continuous regulation updates. Meanwhile, Steinbach’s Mayor Earl Funk acknowledged the dangers posed by e-bikes, emphasizing the need for more education and regulation. The City of Morden has already implemented bylaws, including mandatory helmet usage and adherence to traffic rules, to address the use of electric vehicles within their jurisdiction.
Morden’s Mayor, Nancy Penner, stressed the necessity for clear guidelines at both the municipal and provincial levels regarding the age requirements for e-bike and e-scooter operation. Penner highlighted the importance of consistent regulations to prevent confusion, particularly on shared pathways between cities. Broesky, while forgiving the teenager involved in the accident, emphasized the need for accountability and understanding, underlining the potential for such incidents to happen to anyone.