The e-scooters are taking over Edmonton.
Two companies, Bird and Lime have launched their e-scooters on Edmonton streets in the past few weeks (and a couple of them have found their way into the Legislature Pools). Driving down Whyte Ave you will see people of all ages zipping around on the scooters. Here are a few pros and cons of the scooter invasion:
Pro: The e-scooters are quite cost effective! It is around $1 to start them up and then around 30 cents for each minute you ride. You pay only for how much you use.
Con: There are no docking or charging stations, so the sidewalks are littered with abandoned scooters and they are already being found in inappropriate places (re: the Legislature Wading Pool). This is a potential tripping hazard, and blocked sidewalks can be even more frustrating for individuals with accessibility challenges.
Pro: Ditching the car and choosing to ‘scoot’ around is more environmentally friendly! We love a sustainable move.
Con: Scooters cannot be used on sidewalks (even though they are parked there), and can only be used on shared paths, bike lanes, and roads with a speed limit below 50 km/h. These rules are in place for safety and cooperation between various motorists, however it might be difficult to get to certain areas due to the limitations.
Pro: The scooters all are tracked with GPS so they cannot be easily stolen, which was a major concern of citizens before the launch.
Con: Although they are intended for adult use, anyone with an app connected to a credit card can access the scooters and ride to their hearts content.
Pro: Return to your youth and ‘scoot’ around the city! A hipster photo-op is an added bonus.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-e-scooters-1.5250807
https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/ditched-e-scooters-close-down-legislature-wading-pool