Scooting into Fall: Tips for safe shared scooter use in YYC
Scooters have been in Calgary for three months now, and Calgarians have been quick to jump aboard - with 675,000 rides to date. If sidewalks are clear of snow and ice, riders aged 18 years or older will be able to use the shared electric scooters until Oct. 31, 2019. This means there is still time to become more familiar with how best to scoot safely on Calgary’s sidewalks, pathways and bicycle lanes.
As with any new type of technology or vehicle, there is a learning curve; on-going education about how to properly use shared electric scooters is required. Getting around Calgary safely is a shared responsibility, and it is important that electric scooter users make sure they know how to ride safely before scooting.
Many scooter-related incidents are preventable by just following a few simple safety rules.
Jacquelyn Oriold, Transportation Education Planner with the City of Calgary, has been enjoying riding the scooters since the pilot started. “When riding one of the shared electric scooters, it’s important that I watch out for other people that share the space with me; I always slow down and make sure that other people using the sidewalk are aware of me and if I intend to pass them,” says Oriold.
Keep yourself safe while enjoying your final few weeks of scooting in 2019. Watch this Shared Electric Scooters Dos and Don’ts video or read below to learn a few safety tips everyone should know while scooting:
Yield to people walking
Yielding to pedestrians while on a scooter is also nice for your wallet - there is a $150 fine for interfering with a pedestrian on a sidewalk.
Slow down and look both ways before entering a crosswalk
Slow down and look both ways before entering a crosswalk; don’t speed through a cross walk or try to race the light. Ensure you are visible before entering the intersection and give yourself and other road users an opportunity to react. While people walking and scooting in crosswalks do have the right of way, it is important for all road users to look out for each other.
Park the scooter in the furniture zone
There are rules around where you should park the scooter when ending a ride. Be respectful of others using the sidewalks by parking your scooter upright in the “furniture zone”: the part of the sidewalk in line with bike racks, trees or trash bins as shown in the video.
“Becoming comfortable with a new mode of transportation takes time and practice; I encourage everyone to continue to familiarize themselves with how to scoot safely by watching this short video,” says Oriold. She also encourages all riders to consider riding with a helmet. While helmets are not mandatory, they are strongly recommended.
The next time you ride a shared electric scooter, keep these things in mind to help keep yourself and others safe. For more information on the shared electric scooter pilot, visit calgary.ca/scootershare.