Edmonton Council Weighs E-Scooter and E-Bike Rule Changes Amid Safety Concerns

Edmonton city council is deliberating significant rule changes for e-scooters and e-bikes, prompted by persistent concerns over safety and parking. These micro-mobility devices have seen a surge in popularity, with trips nearly tripling since the program's inception in 2019 to over 1.4 million last year.

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We’ve run into a lot of situations where they’ve been parked on the sidewalk, and then they tip over, or even if they’re just like not tipped over, but parked the wrong way, then we can’t get our wheelchairs around them.

Kyrie Herman, a part-time wheelchair user, shared her experiences with e-scooters obstructing sidewalks and pathways, posing challenges for herself and others with mobility issues. She highlighted situations where improperly parked devices make passage impossible for individuals who cannot easily move them.

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There are some people that are by themselves, so they can’t get somebody to move it, or they’re not able to pick it up and move it or go around.

City staff presented a report indicating that parking and riding behavior remain primary concerns for residents. Councillor Ashley Salvador emphasized the need to accommodate all users, acknowledging the complexity of managing shared spaces. The city is exploring options like designated parking zones, slow-speed zones, and no-riding areas, particularly around busy public spaces and events.

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I think this is the next natural evolution of that conversation, is how do we make sure that we’re best supporting folks who are, not only using micromobility, but the people who are moving about the districts where they are most popular.

These measures have been tested in pilot projects, including designated parking in Mill Woods and speed restrictions around Whyte Avenue and during the Edmonton Oilers' playoff run. Vendors may also implement penalties for misuse and incentives for compliance. However, some council members expressed reservations about imposing too many restrictions.

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We need to work to find ways that accommodate everyone, and that can be tricky in condensed zones and in condensed areas, so I think that’s where some of those intricacies come in, but at the end of the day we wanted people to provide options for everyone to safely get where they’re going.