One of the multiple types of e-scooters that Red Deerians will find on city sidewalks and trails for the next three summers. (rdnewsNOW)

By Sheldon Spackman

Time To Explore

City officially launches three-year e-scooter pilot program

Jul 14, 2021 | 5:24 PM

Although you’ve seen them on the sidewalks and trails for two weeks already, the City of Red Deer officially launched its e-scooter pilot program on Wednesday.

A kick-off event was held at Canada 150 Square in Capstone on Wednesday.

The afternoon event featured local food trucks, information booths for each of the five e-scooter companies operating in Red Deer, Live in Capstone information, giveaways, and entertainment by Red Deer’s own Spandy Andy.

Erin Stuart, Manager of Inspections and Licensing at the City of Red Deer, says interest from several e-scooter companies in the Red Deer market over the past year prompted a closer look at e-scooter opportunities.

Stuart says it will be piloted in the community over the next three summers.

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“This allows us to test the market out and see if it’s something Red Deerians enjoy and want to use,” explains Stuart. “The open market option that was approved means there are no caps currently on the number of businesses that can operate within the city. They can continue to apply for the program and it also doesn’t include the number of e-scooters that can operate for each of those businesses.”

Stuart says that approach will help determine what local demand looks like.

“We have nearly a thousand e-scooters that are currently available for use, with an anticipated number going up to 1,500,” says Stuart. “The pilot started July 1 and will run until the end of October 2023, through the summer months only. Following that, through public feedback and data collection, we will determine whether, and under what circumstances, continuing to use e-scooters will look like within the city.”

Stuart says e-scooters are currently only permitted on trails and sidewalks, with riders needing to be 18-years or older, and only one rider at a time is allowed. Each of the five companies operating here has an app to download, providing safety information, user guides, easy payments and drop-off info for when you’re done riding.

At the end of the day, each company is responsible for collecting their e-scooters from wherever they may be, and returning them to charging stations where they’re also sanitized.

There are around 20 approved collection/drop-off points throughout the city, with rates ranging from $1.00-$1.50 to unlock the app and scooter, and then 30-35 cents per minute to ride.

Stuart is pleased with the strong early uptake.

“It’s stronger than I’d anticipated,” she admits. “I think the timing is great following COVID and it’s an opportunity for people to get out and engage with the community. With the wonderful weather we’re having, it’s really exciting and we’re really interested to see how the community reacts.”

“Bringing e-scooters to our community is a direct initiative of priorities in our council’s Strategic Plan,” remarked Mayor Tara Veer. “(This is) to celebrate our city-in-a-park, to build a tourism economy and to build community life through active engagement.”

“This pilot program is not only innovative and something new to relaunch community life in our city after the past 16 months that we’ve had together,” adds Veer, “but it will bring back people to our downtown and to our park system after many months of being apart. It will generate investment, bolster our recovery, and build our community identity.”