e-Scooter safety
Ride smart. Share space. Know the rules. Using personal e-bikes and e-scooters in Calgary
Privately owned e-bikes and e-scooters are a convenient way to travel, but riders must use them safely and responsibly to protect themselves and others.
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10
2025
Fatalities with riders under 18 in Canada
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368
2024/25
Increase in Calgary Fire Department e-mobility medical calls
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923
April 25' - March 26'
E-scooter and e-bike hospital visits in Calgary
Report a concern
If you encounter:
- Unsafe riding patterns.
- Repeated pathway or sidewalk conflict locations.
- Improperly parked or abandoned devices.
What we're hearing
Concerned parent in Sherwood N.W.My child was riding on a pathway when a speeding e-bike rider coming from the opposite direction collided with him. The crash resulted in a serious knee injury and surgery.
Concerned downtown CalgarianI was standing on a downtown sidewalk when I was struck from behind by a person riding an e-scooter. I never felt like the sidewalk could have these risks until this incident happened without any warning.
What you should know about personal e-scooters and e-bikes
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For riders
Know the risks before taking your personal e-scooters, e-bikes or other e-mobility devices on city pathways. Riders face the risk of collisions and serious injury when travelling too fast, riding near pedestrians, or using a device in places not permitted. Personal e-scooters are not legal for use on roads, parks, or sidewalks. They are only allowed on private property and pathways.
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For parents
Know the risks before buying or allowing your child to use an e-mobility device, since some can go faster than 20 km/h. Make sure your child can safely start, stop, and maneuver before letting them operate unsupervised. Make sure they wear proper safety equipment like helmets to help prevent serious injury or death. In 2025, there were 10 e-scooter fatalities involving youth under 18, and hospitalizations of riders aged 15 and under increased by nearly 300 per cent between April 2025 and March 2026 in Canada.
Different types of e-mobility devices
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Shared e-scooter
A shared e-scooter is a rented electric scooter authorized or permitted to operate on the street by the Province of Alberta. The only licensed shared e-mobility companies operating in Calgary are Bird Canada and Lime. These companies have exemptions from the Provincial Registrar of Motor Vehicles from requirements for registration and insurance.
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Shared e-bike
A shared e-bike is a rented electric bicycle available through a permitted shared mobility company. The only licensed shared e-mobility companies operating in Calgary are Bird Canada and Lime.
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Personal e-scooter
A personal e-scooter is an electric scooter owned by an individual, not rented through a shared mobility program.
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Personal e-bike
An e-bike is a low-power pedal-assist bicycle with an electric motor that assists the rider.
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Other motorized vehicles
Motor vehicle-class devices, such as e-motorcycles, gas-powered bikes and similar motorized vehicles, are not allowed on City pathways, sidewalks, parks or bike lanes.
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Other e-mobility devices
Rules for other micromobility devices, including but not limited to electric skateboards, hoverboards, and one-wheelers, must follow the same rules as personal e-scooters. Rules may vary depending on how the device is powered and its speed capabilities.
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Before you ride
Plan a route using permitted pathways, follow all posted signs and rules, slow down around other pathway users, and always give pedestrians the right of way.
Benefits of shared e-mobility
For occasional riders, shared rental devices may be a good option. They are regulated, include operator support and are allowed in more areas than personal devices.
Rules and enforcement
What enforcement can include
Both Calgary Police Service and City bylaw peace officers enforce City bylaws related to the permitted use of e-bikes and e-scooters. Calgary Police Service also enforces the Traffic Safety Act and the Use of Highways and Rules of the Road Regulation. Enforcement can include warnings and fines for reckless riding, collisions, carrying passengers, unsafe speeds or riding in spaces not allowed.
- A $400 fine for operating a shared e-scooter or other e-mobility devices in a reckless manner.
- A $400 fine for colliding with another user of the sidewalk or street.
- A $75 fine for carrying a passenger on a shared e-scooter.
- A $150 fine for operating any mobility device up to 10km/h above the speed limit on a park pathway.
- A $400 fine for operating any mobility device more than 10km/h above the speed limit on a park pathway.
News articles across Canada
Personal e-mobility FAQs
What is the difference between personal and pooled/shared devices?
Personal devices are privately owned, while pooled/shared devices are operator-owned rental devices that operate under Provincial and City permits with specific rules, controls, and enforcement mechanisms. These devices do not undergo review to ensure presence of proper equipment (e.g., head lamp, tail lamp, maximum power output, and top speed) – they also have not been reviewed by Provincial regulator for electric battery safety performance.
Personal (privately owned) devices:
- Owned by an individual, not rented through a City-permitted sharing program.
- Includes privately owned e‑scooters, e‑bikes, and other emerging micromobility devices.
Shared/Pooled devices:
- Provided by private operators through the City's shared micromobility program (currently permitted operators are Bird and Lime. These devices are rented on-demand and available for public use.
- These companies agree to operate under the City’s contract terms, and the speed of the devices is governed.
- Shared e scooters are permitted to operate on bicycle lanes, pathways, certain quieter sidewalks, and lower-volume roads under the program rules.
Why are people concerned with the use of e-scooters and e-bikes?
- Unsafe riding behaviour (speed, recklessness, power, passing without notifying the pedestrians).
- Conflicts in shared spaces between pedestrians, cyclists, e-devices.
- Confusion around rules and regulations (what’s legal and what’s not).
- Confusion around device types.
- Enforcement challenges.
What are the fines for dangerous riding behaviour?
The City of Calgary will be enforcing the fines to address safety concerns and deter inconsiderate e-Scooter rider behaviour.
Fines include:
- A $400 fine for operating a shared e-scooter or other e-mobility devices in a reckless manner.
- A $400 fine for colliding with another user of the sidewalk or street.
- A $75 fine for carrying a passenger on a shared e-scooter.
- A $150 fine for operating any mobility device up to 10km/h above the speed limit on a park pathway.
- A $400 fine for operating any mobility device more than 10km/h above the speed limit on a park pathway.
All fines can be found in The City of Calgary Traffic Bylaw 26M96 or the Bylaws related to parks and pathways. Please contact 311 to report riders not following the rules in Calgary.
How old do you have to be to operate an e-scooter or e-bike?
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Are helmets required?
It is required for e-bikes and strongly recommended for e-scooters. In Alberta, helmets are required for anyone operating or riding on a power bicycle/e-bike. For e-scooters, helmets are recommended as an important safety step, especially for youth and new riders.
Are higher-powered devices allowed everywhere?
No. Higher-powered or modified devices may not be allowed on pathways, sidewalks, parks, or bike lanes. Riders should check the device type, speed capability and where it is legally allowed before riding.