If you live in a Canadian city, you’ve probably seen it: riders quietly gliding past traffic jams on their e-bikes and scooters. They aren’t looking for attention. They’re just getting to work, picking up groceries, or dropping kids off at school — turning stressful commutes into calm, reliable rides.
At Repair and Run, we hear the same thing from customers every day: once you start riding, it’s hard to stop. Parents load up cargo bikes for the school run, couriers rely on e-bikes for their workday, and weekend riders head out just for the fun of it.
What the Numbers Really Say
The headlines can make riding sound risky. But here’s the bigger picture: in 2023, Canada recorded almost 2,000 car-related fatalities — the highest in a decade. By contrast, major e-scooter programs show far safer results. For example, New York City’s pilot logged 1.4 million trips with no fatalities and very few serious injuries before expanding.
Here at home, Toronto Police recently ran a back-to-school blitz reminding all road users — drivers, cyclists, and scooter riders — to follow the rules. Education like this helps, but what really makes the difference are protected bike lanes and streets designed for people, not just cars.
The Safety Factors That Matter
- Controlled power: Quality e-bikes and scooters give smooth acceleration, which helps riders merge safely with traffic.
- Helmets: They reduce injury severity, but they don’t prevent crashes. What prevents crashes? Better infrastructure and safer driver behaviour.
- Infrastructure: In countries like the Netherlands, cycling is safe because streets are built for it — not because riders are wrapped in gear.
The Hidden Savings
It’s not just about safety. Canadian households spend over $12,000 a year on transportation. Every car trip replaced by an e-bike or scooter ride means savings on gas, insurance, and parking — money that stays in your pocket and your community.
Quietly Reliable
Our technicians service thousands of bikes and scooters every year. The pattern is always the same: quality equipment, ridden predictably and maintained regularly, just works. With the right setup, lighting, and battery care, the result is uneventful rides — the kind that never make headlines, but make life simpler, cheaper, and more enjoyable.
For most Canadians, micromobility is more than safe enough — it’s a smart, practical choice. That’s why we believe e-bikes and e-scooters have such a bright future on Canadian streets.