Fort McMurray, Alta. – Wood Buffalo RCMP wish to remind the public about the responsibilities and regulations involved in owning and operating E-scooters. As the weather warms up, E-scooter use is increasing, and users should understand the safety concerns and legal regulations that must be considered before you go out for a ride.

E-scooters, under Alberta Regulations, are considered by definition to be miniature vehicles, and all the regulations associated to miniature vehicles apply. It is illegal to operate miniature vehicles on sidewalks alongside a street or highway in Alberta because they pose a safety hazard to other pedestrians on the sidewalk.

When driven on the roadway, E-scooters present an extreme safety hazard to both operator of the E-scooter and motorists. Given that there are currently no regulatory requirements for operators of miniature vehicles to possess a driver’s licence, registration, or insurance, it is inherently illegal to use E-scooters on the road. Operating an E-scooter on a street or road poses considerable liability concerns in the event of a collision with another pedestrian or vehicle.

While some Alberta municipalities have E-scooter rental programs in place and are exempt to the Traffic Safety Act, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) does not yet have a comparable program. Until these regulatory gaps are closed, E-scooters are prohibited on any road, highway, or sidewalk within the RMWB and can only be legally used on private property.

The Wood Buffalo RCMP offer the following safety tips if you plan on using an E-scooters:

• E-scooters are prohibited from being used on any street or highway. The operation of any motor vehicle on a public roadway requires possession of a valid driver’s licence, motor vehicle registration, and insurance, which is not available for e-scooters operators;
• Operating an e-scooter at high speeds on multi-use pathways is dangerous, especially for young or inexperienced operators. It is prohibited to use an e-scooters on the sidewalks alongside a street or highway;
• Be safe and slow down when sharing a pathway with pedestrians, leaving enough space to pass pedestrians safely;
• Wear a helmet and safety gear;
• Do not travel with more than one passenger on your e-scooter. Additional passengers compromise your ability to stay balanced and decreases your ability to stop quickly or avoid objects that may be in your path.

For more information about Alberta Regulations surrounding e-scooters you can visit the following links:

• Rules & Regulations Applying to Small Vehicles
• https://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType41/Production/SmallVehicle.pdf