Electric scooters roll out in Ottawa
E-scooters have hit the streets of Ottawa for a pilot program. The devices are back in the Nation’s Capital for a third year, with some changes to the program.
Two providers, Bird Canada and Neuron Mobility, will be providing the scooters this year.
“It’s sustainable, it’s zero emissions, and you’re helping to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Isaac Ransom, of Neuron Mobility, one of the scooter providers.
Neuron scooters laucnhed in select areas of Ottawa Wednesday. The city of Ottawa says Bird scooters will be phased in next week.
The e-scooter program, now in its third year, includes new restrictions on riders and the companies operating the electric scooters, as well as changes to the scooters themselves.
E-scooters will be required to emit a continuous sound while in operation so people can hear them approach, and apps must only allow riders to end their rides in a designated parking area. The scooters are also not allowed on sidewalks and must only ride on streets under 50 km/h. The city says new technologies and penalties have been implemented to deter sidewalk riding and improperly parked e-scooters.
“If an e-scooter is improperly parked, the rider will continue to be charged a fee until it is properly parked or retrieved by the provider. Providers have also implemented fines and will remove users from their app who disregard the local rules, including sidewalk riding and improper parking,” the city says.
“You will be able to see in your app where you can park in the city,” said Ransom. “You will have to park in a designated parking area and what will happen is when you want to end your ride, you return it to a designated parking area.”
Scooters being abandoned around Ottawa was one of the issues raised during public consultations following last year's season. Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury says the city will work with the scooter companies to ensure the rules are followed.
“If you see a unit abandoned in a spot that’s not appropriate, call 311,” said Fluery. “The company will have 15 minutes to move the unit and if not, the city will tow it. There is a fine to that.”
The launch of this year’s e-scooters was delayed because of the changes.
There will also be 300 fewer scooters compared to last year, with a fleet size of 900.
The 2022 season is approved to operate until November 15, 2022, weather permitting.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.