Provincial regulations were recently passed to allow the piloting of electric kick scooters in participating communities for four more years. The four-year pilot starts when the current electric kick scooter pilot project ends on April 5, 2024, and will run until 2028. Local governments can join the new pilot project before it starts on April 5, 2024, to provide residents with the opportunity to use electric kick scooters within their community.
The new Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project Regulation makes enhancements under the new pilot project legislative framework passed in Spring 2023. Key changes include:
- Flexibility to join: local governments only need to pass a resolution to join the pilot project. The resolution must provide the consent of the local government to participate in the new pilot project, starting April 5, 2024, and be communicated to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Current pilot communities can also continue their involvement by passing a resolution. When the new pilot starts on April 5, 2024, the Ministry will publish the list of participating communities on its website.
- Optional bylaw-making authority: the regulations provide a regulatory framework which includes rules for devices and operators. Local governments may pass optional bylaws setting additional criteria, such as restricting use to certain roads or bike lanes. Current pilot communities should review any bylaws they have to ensure they align with the new pilot project framework. However, a bylaw is not required for a community to join.
- Simplified reporting: local government reporting requirement are simpler and will no longer involve collecting information from third parties like shared service providers. The Ministry will directly obtain pilot project data from local governments, shared service providers, ICBC and BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit.
These enhancements are based on lessons learned from the current pilot project. For example, simplified participation and reporting requirements will make it easier for local governments to join and collect data for reporting.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will be providing onboarding and information support to help local governments join. Information packages and sessions will be made available in the coming weeks. If you are interested in receiving an information package or attending an information session, please contact the Ministry.
Information on the pilot project, including the list of current pilot communities, is available on the Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project website.