Chilliwack is joining more than a dozen B.C. communities in testing out the use of e-scooters on their city roads.
For the next four years, City of Chilliwack is taking part in the provincial Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project.
“It provides another affordable transportation option to get around Chilliwack,” said Coun. Jeff Shields at the March council meeting, as chair of the transportation advisory committee.
Shields said his entire committee was “encouraged” to see Chilliwack joining the pilot.
Electric kick scooters, also called “e-scooters,” are battery-powered, motorized standup scooters, with a platform, and handlebars.
Chilliwack is the only Fraser Valley municipality involved in the second phase of the pilot, which saw cities like Vancouver, Richmond, Victoria and Kelowna get on-board the first phase, which launched in 2021.
Coun. Nicole Read asked staff to clarify if the provincial project was about rebates, and was told it was a way to legally allow the e-scooters to travel on the city roads, where they were once prohibited.
“It’s a great opportunity for clean transportation, and I’m happy to see it,” Read said.
Coun. Chris Kloot asked if there had been any feedback about conflicts from participants in the first phase, and was told only cities who experimented with e-scooter banks reported some issues.
E-scooter riders are required to follow the provincial rules. A licence is not required, but riders have to be at least 16 years old, and wear helmets on city roads.
At the March 5, council meeting, city council approved Chilliwack’s participation in the provincial pilot project that began in 2021, and was just renewed until 2028 on April 5.
The e-scooter rules are spelled out on a provincial webpage, and municipalities involved in the pilot had to pass their own bylaws to permit e-scooters.
The B.C. Motor Vehicle Act doesn’t allow transportation such as electric scooters on roads or sidewalks, but a 2019 amendment permits communities to work with the province, as they are doing on the pilot project.
For more information on Chilliwack and the pilot project, 604-793-2907 or at engineeringinfo@chilliwack.com
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