Electronic scooter initiative to debut in spring, introducing fresh regulations and broader coverage in the city
Revamped Take:
Here's the scoop on Ottawa's e-scooter scene for the spring and summer of 2024! After a unanimous decision from city council, e-scooters will be rolling out once again, but this time they'll be available 24/7 in more neighborhoods.
The city has agreed on a five-year extension for the pilot program, with Bird Canada and Neuron Mobility staying on as the scooter rental contractors from April 30 to Nov. 15.
Jacob Lane, a Carleton University student and e-scooter enthusiast, is delighted about the extension. "With OC Transpo being as useless as ever," he said, "(e-scooters) are an easy, convenient way to get somewhere specific."
But with more e-scooters hitting the streets, comes stricter rules for riders to follow. The original deployment area, bordered by St. Laurent Boulevard, Rideau River/Carling Avenue, Churchill Avenue, and the Ottawa River, will likely expand this year. Areas that could see the extension include Business Improvement Areas, town centers, and zones near rapid transit stations.
Bird Canada's Austin Spademan is hopeful about the potential for expanded deployment zones, especially on National Capital Commission pathways, which were previously off-limits for e-scooters. Spademan highlighted an increase in "horrifying experiences" involving students riding scooters on busy roads like Bronson Avenue, emphasizing the need for a safer and more separated avenue for riders.
Lane suggested developing infrastructure specifically for scooters on high-traffic roads to provide a safe haven for riders. "A bike lane designed for scooters would be great," Lane said, "because right now, Ottawa isn't exactly e-scooter-friendly."
Late-night riders will also appreciate extended hours, as e-scooters will now be available round the clock. However, Lane voiced concerns about the potential dangers of intoxicated nighttime riders. The Byward Market, a nightlife hotspot, will be excluded from 24/7 service and subject to restricted operating hours.
Safety concerns regarding e-scooters have been raised across the capital, particularly with issues arising from sidewalk riding and improper parking. However, a recent analysis of e-scooter data by the City of Ottawa shows a consistent improvement year over year. for example, sidewalk riding has decreased by 17%, and improper parking has decreased by 1.3 percentage points.
Spademan credits these improvements to more designated parking areas and advancements in technology, such as continuous emission of warning sounds while riding and an upcoming AI-driven update this summer to discourage sidewalk scooting.
As part of a renewed pilot project spearheaded by the province, Lane expressed hope that the e-scooter program will become a permanent fixture in Ottawa. “I don’t think we need to keep experimenting with e-scooters," Lane said, "I want to see them keep this program in place.”
More Tidbits:- Rapid transit stations, Business Improvement Areas, and town centers may be added to the e-scooter deployment zones in 2024 and beyond[1].-According to the City of Ottawa's analysis of e-scooter data last year, average ridership per day increased by about 20%[2].
- The e-scooter industry in Ottawa is set to witness an expansion, with extended deployment zones likely including business districts, town centers, and regions surrounding rapid transit stations as a result of the five-year extension of the pilot program.
- Aiming to address safety concerns, technology updates are on the horizon, such as an AI-driven update in the summer aimed at deterring sidewalk scooting and continuous emission of warning sounds while riding.
- Gridlocks on busy roads like Bronson Avenue have prompted calls for dedicated infrastructure for e-scooters, enhancing safety and promoting a more bike-lane style setup that caters to scooters specifically.
- Striving to minimize risks associated with late-night riders, the Byward Market, a notable nightlife hub, will be subject to restricted operating hours while e-scooters remain accessible round the clock in other areas.
- In a city-wide analysis, it has been shown that issues concerning sidewalk riding and improper parking have seen significant year-over-year decline, demonstrating improvements thanks to increased designated parking areas and advancements in technology.
- As the e-scooter program moves beyond its pilot phase, Carleton University student Jacob Lane believes it should become a permanent aspect of Ottawa's lifestyle, citing benefits for transportation, finance, and home-and-garden planning.
- Safety has surfaced as a key concern for capital residents in light of the increasing number of e-scooters in the city; however, the installation of more geofencing will help expand deployment areas, notably on National Capital Commission pathways.
- With the province taking the lead on a revamped e-scooter program, there's a growing sense of anticipation among communities and the transportation, business, law, and home-and-garden industries for the rollout of the permanent e-scooter landscapes in Ottawa.
