How to handle bad behaviour and more RCMP involvement were just some of the concerns Kelowna council had in extending the micromobility program in the city.
Kelowna is one of 13 B.C. communities taking part in the pilot project that started in April 2021 and was due to end in April 2024.
The province has extended the program to April 2028.
While council supported the extension at its Jan. 22 regular meeting there were concerns about e-scooter rider behaviour including speeding, doubling, and riding on sidewalks and with no helmet, as well as dumping scooters and bikes indiscriminately across the city.
Several councillors wanted more RCMP involvement to help with traffic safety.
“If not…that makes me much less enthusiastic to support this,” said Coun. Luke Stack.
Coun. Charlie Hodge also advocated for more RCMP involvement and holding riders more accountable for their bad behaviour.
“There are always those who take advantage of a good idea and wreck it,” he added.
Coun. Loyal Wooldridge disagreed with having the RCMP deal with bad riders and noted police have had only a handful of files they’ve investigated.
“When we have sex trafficking to manage…or having youth run over in Rutland, those are higher priorities for me.”
The Downtown Kelowna Association also requested that e-scooters be allowed on Bernard Avenue during Meet Me On Bernard during the summer.
There would at a 15 km/h speed limit imposed, however, several councillors felt that was too fast considering the number of pedestrians that would be on the streets.
Council voted to send the four-year extension of the program out to a request for proposal (RFP).
Lime, the company that provides e-bikes and e-scooters in the city, released a statement following the council meeting.
“All of us at Lime are thrilled that the city council is extending the micromobility program and we look forward to working together to continue improving the experience for all road users, including riders and non-riders alike.”
Lime estimates that since April 2021, over 160,000 riders have taken over 950,000 rides in Kelowna and travelled nearly 1.9 million kilometres.
The rides replaced approximately 233,000 car trips, saving an estimated 42,000 litres of gasoline and over 100 tons of carbon emissions, Lime further stated.
City staff will prepare recommendations for the RFP and bring them back to council for discussion and possible approval.
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