The family of a Wesbrook senior who was struck by a non-motorized scooter on a sidewalk has appealed to the UNA for help in enforcing rules to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Wesbrook Place resident Lena Bellamy, 87, was struck by a 10-year-old youth on a non-motorized scooter on Oct. 16 while returning to her home at Tapestry Retirement Residence after her daily walk.
Hannah Tregidgo, Bellamy’s granddaughter, said she was taken by ambulance to Vancouver General Hospital after the incident and treated for a fractured kneecap and a head injury, receiving stitches to her forehead. She may also need surgery.
Addressing UNA directors and other attendees at the November board meeting, Tregidgo said the youth on the scooter fled the scene without assisting Bellamy.
“Lena didn’t even stumble. She was hit right to the ground and the impact was serious,” she said.
“Our family’s shock and concern about the accident and Lena’s injuries were multiplied when we learned that the young person who hit her and their family did not stop and help her in any way after the incident.”
Since the Oct. 16 incident, Tregidgo and acquaintances of Bellamy said they have witnessed several instances of youth riding their scooters on sidewalks. In one instance, a youth was riding while their parent was distracted on their phone.
Staff Sgt. Chuck Lan, the RCMP UBC’s detachment’s commanding officer, told The Campus Resident police are investigating the incident, but no further details have been provided.
While Tregido acknowledged that Provincial law lays out the regulations that apply to sidewalks, she asked the UNA to raise awareness of the incident and to help enforce rules that generally prohibit the use of scooters, bicycles, and other modes of non-motorized wheeled transportation on sidewalks.
In response, UNA director Murray McCutcheon said, “You likely know we have very limited powers at the UNA, and so we have the practice of moral persuasion and ability to convene stakeholders and agitate and that sort of thing.”
Carole Jolly, director at UBC community development and transportation, said the university can help raise awareness around pedestrian safety on campus.
“There are some joint programs and initiatives that we have in place already, particularly a Walk and Roll to School program,” she added.
“I would like to take this back to those programs and make sure that we’re communicating, providing adequate information to the community and through the school programs that we have in place right now.”
EMMANUEL SAMOGLOU IS THE MANAGING EDITOR OF THE CAMPUS RESIDENT.