Ward 2 - Jennifer Wyness

An Update on E-Mobility

The message from my office on dangerous e-mobility operation in Calgary is simple: many private electric mobility devices being used in Calgary are not legal for use in public spaces. This specifically speaks to the use of electric dirt bikes and private e-scooters in greenspaces, sidewalks and roadways.

I know there is a great deal of confusion on this issue. My office has received many emails, I shared a public notice in May, and I recently spoke with LiveWire about the growing concerns we are hearing from residents. I also see the ongoing conversations online. For clarity, I want to keep the rules and the message simple.

At this time, the only permitted forms of elecronic micro-mobility in Calgary are:

Regulated e-bikes with pedals, which must follow all standard cycling rules, including pathway speed limits and mandatory helmet use.
- Legal e-bikes must have functional pedals, a motor of 500W or less, and a maximum assisted speed of 32 km/h. Pedal-assist models are allowed on pathways, roadways, and bike lanes, but throttle-powered (power-on-demand) e-bikes are strictly banned on city roads and pathways.
Approved shared e-scooters operated by licensed companies, which are speed-controlled, registered, and insured under the City’s pilot program. Private E-scooters are allowed on City-pathways with a maximum of 20km/h, but not permitted on sidewalks and roadways.
Power-wheelchairs are accessibility devices that are allowed anywhere.

All other electric mobility devices are not legal for public use. That includes privately owned e-scooters on sidewalks and roadways and electric dirt bikes.

If you witness the use of these devices, you are encouraged to report it through the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line (403-266-1234). While response times may not always allow officers to intervene in the moment, reporting helps build an accurate picture of where issues are occurring and supports future enforcement and policy decisions. One offence reported and caught has the ability to curb commuity sentiment.

Illegal E-Mobility Usage in Citadel, from a concerned constituent

Since our last update in May,

our office has continued to hear from many residents about the growing use of illegal e-mobility devices in Calgary, and we appreciate people taking the time to share their concerns.

We have been meeting with key partners, including AMA, the City’s Mobility Business Unit, and Calgary Police Service, to better understand the issues these devices are creating in our communities. Just this month, a woman died in Vancouver in an e-scooter collision, which is a sobering reminder that these devices carry real safety risks when they are used irresponsibly or outside the law.

The reality is simple: with the exception of traditional e-bikes with pedals and approved scooter rentals such as Lime and Neuron, most of these devices are being operated illegally. That is why our focus now must be on both public education and stronger enforcement.

Many people do not realize these devices are not permitted, and that includes parents who may be buying them for their children and allowing them to be used in neighbourhoods, parks, and other public spaces. We need to make sure Calgarians understand that buying and using these devices does not make them legal.

At the same time, we recognize that CPS must balance many priorities, and these offences are not always treated as a high-priority emergency. Still, we believe there is room for stronger enforcement, and we are advocating for that approach here in Calgary.

Cllr Wyness also released a statement on this issue in May and was recently interviewed by LiveWire Calgary as part of the ongoing public conversation.

To Conclude,

Let us keep this message simple: Many private electric mobility devices being used in Calgary are not legal for use in public spaces, and reporting the situation as we witness it is essential to enforcement. Together we can ensure safe mobility on our streets again.

Updates

From Linda Easthope on Facebook: "It's incorrect to say that throttle-powered bikes/motorcycles are not allowed on city streets. The Province has had rules in place for them since 2009 but enforcement has been nonexistent. They are classified as "mopeds" and require a Class 7 licence, minimum age 14, registration and insurance. Current experience is that it's very difficult to follow the law on this: insurance companies don't know what to do with them and the forms the Province uses for registration are geared strictly to gas bikes. You have to be very persistent to get past the bureaucracy and actually follow the rules, so no one does. https://www.transportation.alberta.ca/content/doctype45/production/mopedpowerbikes.pdf"
Changed wording from "most" to many: "many private electric mobility devices being used in Calgary are not legal for use in public spaces." The intention of this statement was simplicity, but feedback has shown that saying "most" is misleading. A good rule of thumb going froward is: when people are operating their e-mobility devices safely and within the rules, you don't notice. When you really notice, that's probably where the line of legality is drawn.

Image from a concerned resident who has asked us to share with the community. Location: Bow River Pathway, near East Village

An Update on E-Mobility

Since our last update in May,

To Conclude,

Updates

Further Reading: