Town halts e-scooters until traffic safety act amended

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Strathmore has chosen to delay any further discussions regarding the potential introduction of e-scooters and e-bikes around town. 

It was recommended to council by administration that the town refrain from amending the local Traffic Bylaw until the Province of Alberta makes changes to the Alberta Traffic Safety Act.

It was also recommended that council direct town staff to use a Request for Proposals process to consider private providers of an e-scooter rental service in town, which would allow for the increased administrative and enforcement costs to be covered by the successful provider. 

“A resolution was passed at the Alberta Municipalities Conference requesting that the province amend the Traffic Safety Act to deal with e-scooters,” said Jamie Dougdale, director of infrastructure, operations and development services.

Dougdale described the potential impacts introducing e-scooters may have for the town, both positively and negatively. 

Some of the positives include reduced vehicular congestion, reduced emissions, improved pedestrian mobility and potentially increased tourism.

Potential challenges include reducing safety for pedestrians and other road users, infrastructure readiness, legal and liability issues, as well as negative public opinion.

“In terms of organizational implications, if we did bring that forward, there would be, of course, a legal review of that service provision. A big component would be enforcement and education of public and riders,” said Dougdale. “If council wanted to move forward, we do so on a pilot basis to look at the impacts, gather data (and) refine regulations moving forward.”

He explained council would have to develop and implement comprehensive regulations to govern e-scooter operations, including around safety, areas for use, and parking. 

Coun. Brent Wiley, who said he was initially optimistic about the idea of e-scooters in Strathmore, was wavering in his support for the prospect. 

“Part of what is on for every councilor is coming up with a cost/benefit analysis. Administration did a good job of outlining some of the benefits, but the costs we are trying to keep in mind (are) for perhaps 35 scooters,” he said. “CAO Scoble says we could create the bylaws to bring speeds down to 10 km/h in the downtown core, but (Dougdale) is talking about needing to essentially map the entire town and figure out speeds and all that administration time, just to bring in perhaps 35 scooters.”

Council voted to refrain from amending the local traffic bylaw until such time as the province makes changes to the traffic safety act, as well as to accept Dougdale’s report as information, as opposed to continue pursing the introduction of e-scooter providers into Strathmore.