Merritt Staff to investigate electric scooter pilot program

A letter from Merrittonian Josh Doerkson has led Merritt City Council to direct Staff to investigate a pilot program currently underway regarding use of electric scooters.

“Provincial legislation currently prohibits the use of electric kick scooters (e-scooters) on roads and sidewalks. Joining the Provincial pilot project would enable the City to allow the use of e-scooters on roads within the community. The Active Transportation Plan supports the expansion of modes of active transportation, including e-scooters,” said Don McArthur, Director of Planning and Development Services.

The Province did indicate that the joining the program is still possible but would require a resolution, application form, and appropriately modified bylaws.

“If the City were to be accepted into the pilot project, e-scooters would be allowed to share the travel lane with vehicles, but would need to stay to the right so that vehicles could pass them. Only e-scooters that are designed to not exceed 24 km/h would be approved, as per pilot project requirements. Importantly, e-scooters would still not be permitted to be used on sidewalks,” added McArthur.

Currently eight municipalities, including Kelowna and Vernon in the Interior are taking part.

Council directed staff to investigate the pilot program further and report back to council with details and a recommendation at a later date.