On February 21, 2026, as dawn broke over Mount Holly, New Jersey, the day began with tragedy. A pedestrian, attempting to cross Route 38 near Pine Street, was struck by a motor vehicle in a collision that left the vehicle’s left windshield severely damaged and the victim in need of urgent medical care. Paramedics rushed to the scene and transported the injured person to the hospital, where their condition remains serious. The incident is a stark reminder of the dangers pedestrians face on North American roads, and it’s far from an isolated event.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), drivers struck and killed 7,148 pedestrians in the United States in 2024. While this figure is down 4.3% from the previous year, it still represents a nearly 20% increase compared to 2016—a sobering statistic that underscores the persistent risks on the nation’s streets.
Yet, as communities grapple with how to keep pedestrians safe, a different debate is unfolding hundreds of miles north in Toronto. There, the focus isn’t just on cars, but also on the rise of e-bikes, e-scooters, and other so-called micromobility devices. Are these new forms of urban transport a menace to pedestrians, or are they being unfairly scapegoated amid broader road safety concerns?
Data obtained by TorontoToday through a Freedom of Information Act request offers a revealing snapshot. In 2025, the Toronto Police Service (TPS) laid just 24 charges against micromobility riders—including e-bikes, e-scooters, and pedal bicycles—for careless driving or careless driving causing bodily harm or death. In sharp contrast, more than 3,800 comparable charges were issued to car drivers that same year. That’s over 158 times as many charges for traditional vehicles as for micromobility users.
Despite the relatively low number of charges, the issue is far from settled. Personal injury lawyer David Shellnutt, a pro-cycling advocate, told TorontoToday, “These stats highlight what we’ve been saying all along. Yes, it’s unfortunate that some people get injured [in incidents with micromobility users] … but it’s a small fraction [of road users].” According to city records, as of February 22, 2026, there have been five pedestrian fatalities in Toronto involving vehicle drivers, but none involving bicycle, e-bike, or e-scooter riders.
But not everyone reads the data the same way. Brenda Hollingsworth, another personal injury lawyer, expressed surprise at the number of charges, noting her firm is currently handling about 20 active cases involving injuries caused by micromobility users, from concussions to broken bones. She pointed to cases where police failed to lay charges against e-bike or e-scooter riders who allegedly caused harm, suggesting that police “inexperience” might be leading to underenforcement of provincial traffic laws. “In some of my clients’ cases, police have failed to lay charges,” she said, highlighting the complexity of assigning blame and responsibility on busy city streets.
The discussion doesn’t end with the police. Kris Bonn, a Belleville-based personal injury lawyer, added another wrinkle, suggesting that part of the problem may be public perception. “Bystanders who view a bicycle accident don’t yet have the same instinct to report it to police as they might with an accident involving a car,” he observed. This, he argued, could mean some incidents simply go unreported, further complicating the enforcement landscape.
The Toronto Police Service, for its part, pushed back on the idea that it is failing to enforce the law. TPS spokesperson Shannon Eames stated, “Officers conduct investigations when an offence is observed or when they are called to the scene of an incident or collision. When appropriate, and when evidence supports it, officers may proceed with laying a charge.”
Even as the debate continues, one trend is clear: the number of charges against micromobility users has increased in recent years. In 2023, TPS issued just 11 such charges; the number rose to 28 in 2024 and 24 in 2025. Some, like Shellnutt, believe this uptick isn’t due to more reckless riding, but to mounting pressure from politicians. In May 2024, Toronto city council passed a motion requesting TPS to conduct a micromobility education and enforcement blitz, which led to 179 tickets for various infractions in the fall and spring of 2025.
Still, there’s another side to the story. Until mid-2024, TPS didn’t have a separate category for e-bikes and e-scooters in its records, so earlier data may have missed some cases. The recent increases could reflect improved tracking rather than a surge in dangerous behavior.
Recognizing the need for a balanced approach, Toronto launched a public education campaign in the summer of 2025, reminding micromobility riders of their responsibilities. Colorful posters throughout the city declared, “It’s a real pain when you stop in the bike lane” and “Riding the wrong way in the bike lane grinds everyone’s gears.” While some, like Shellnutt, welcomed the focus on education, they also voiced disappointment that the campaign was paired with heightened police enforcement. He argued that if city leaders are truly serious about improving safety, they should also look at the business models of food delivery companies like Uber and DoorDash, which employ many micromobility riders. “The apps themselves reward the erraticness,” said longtime courier Narado Kiondo. “If you don’t make erratic choices [while biking], you’re not going to make any money.” Both Uber and DoorDash, however, have denied incentivizing unsafe riding, emphasizing that safety is a top priority.
Meanwhile, the dangers of traditional vehicles remain ever-present. On the same evening as the Mount Holly crash, the Greater Toronto Area was hit by a wave of accidents due to freezing drizzle. A pedestrian was struck on Highway 407 eastbound near Warden Avenue, and another suffered life-threatening injuries near Yonge Street and Wedgewood Drive in North York. Environment Canada’s freezing drizzle warning underscored just how quickly roads can become hazardous, putting both drivers and pedestrians at risk.
Legal experts stress the importance of knowing your rights if you’re involved in an accident—whether as a pedestrian, car driver, or micromobility rider. Documenting the scene, gathering witness statements, seeking medical attention, and reporting the incident to insurance providers are all vital steps. Early legal advice can help ensure victims receive the compensation they deserve for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
As cities across North America continue to debate how best to protect pedestrians and encourage safe transit, one thing is clear: the conversation is evolving. While cars remain the primary source of serious pedestrian injuries and fatalities, the rise of e-bikes and e-scooters brings new challenges—and new opportunities for education, enforcement, and innovation. The hope, shared by many, is that future headlines will tell more stories of prevention than of tragedy.