On August 20, 2026, our community in Kamloops suffered a heartbreaking loss. 18 year old Hunter Dennis, a beloved member of our community, tragically lost his life due to an e-scooter accident. This petition is a call to action to prevent such tragedies from occurring again in our city.

E-scooters, while touted as convenient and eco-friendly, have shown to be a significant safety hazard. Reports across North America highlight a worrying surge in accidents involving e-scooters, with injuries ranging from minor scrapes to severe trauma and, tragically, fatalities. In cities with less stringent regulations, we see an uptick in accidents both for riders and pedestrians. Kamloops is no exception.

To honor Hunter's memory and ensure the safety of all Kamloops residents, we urge the City of Kamloops to withdraw from the British Columbia Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project immediately. The continued operation of e-scooters compromises public safety, and it is within our power to change this.

By taking municipal action to prohibit these vehicles, we can safeguard our community. 

Why we are asking Council to act

• E-scooter riders have very little physical protection in a collision or fall and are especially vulnerable when sharing roads with larger vehicles.

• Helmet, speed, impairment, age, and riding-location rules cannot eliminate the inherent vulnerability of a standing rider on a small-wheeled device.

• Rules are difficult to enforce consistently across the city, particularly where unsafe riding, impairment, or improper road and sidewalk use occurs.

• Kamloops should not wait until the provincial pilot ends on April 5, 2028 to decide whether continuing e-scooter use is acceptable for this community.

We ask Kamloops City Council to:

1. Withdraw Kamloops from the Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project as soon as legally possible.

2. End shared rental e-scooter operations within Kamloops.

3. Request a provincial safety review of e-scooter injuries and fatalities in pilot communities.

4. Publicly review Kamloops e-scooter collision, injury, complaint, and enforcement data before allowing the program to continue.

5. Implement education campaign for personal e-scooter riders.

Now is the time for us to stand together and advocate for a safer city. Hunter's memory should inspire us to create a community where such accidents are preventable rather than inevitable.

Sign this petition to urge the City of Kamloops to prioritize the safety of its residents by prohibiting public e-scooters. Let's ensure that Hunter Dennis's tragic passing serves as a turning point for better safety practices in our community.