Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
The Town of Oliver has sent a letter of intent to the province to become a pilot project for e-scooters.
Josh Boileau, regional general manager of Sparrow Scooters, made a presentation to council on June 13.
He stressed that Sparrow is different than bigger companies that allow riders to leave their scooters on the street when they are finished with them. He noted they partner with hotels and other locations where riders are required to park them.
“We do not put scooters on the street and just have them littering the roads,” he said.
Boileau stated that it is technically illegal to ride scooters on Oliver streets at this time. However, that will change once Oliver officially becomes involved in the pilot project with the province, he pointed out, adding that scooters have the same legal entity as bicycles on the road.
Boileau reiterated to council that customers who rent scooters are only able to park in certain locations, such as hotels.
He noted that e-scooters are one of the biggest growing mobility sharing initiatives in the province. He also touched on the climate action issue, explaining how e-scooters reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Gas prices are another reason people are giving up their vehicles and riding scooters.
Boileau said they can restrict e-scooters to certain areas and limit their speeds as well.
Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger asked if the scooters have lights so that oncoming traffic can see them at dusk.
Boileau confirmed they have a light in the front and rear, plus bells. He said they are also equipped with GPS.
Schwartzenberger also wanted confirmation that riders can’t just drop their scooter wherever they want.
Boileau, who lives in Oliver, said that happens a lot in other cities.
“We do not want that, we’re very much against that, that’s the biggest complaint.”
Boileau said the city of Vernon and Kelowna are currently involved in the pilot project. He noted they had a meeting set up with Osoyoos but the RCMP “stopped us and said no.”
However, Osoyoos RCMP Sgt. Jason Bayda said they didn’t put a stop to anything.
“We were only asked by a group if e-scooters were permitted in Osoyoos and we informed them that as of right now they are not as Osoyoos is not a pilot project town.”
Bayda said the Osoyoos RCMP were never asked its opinion on whether the town should or should not become one.
“If it became a pilot town we would not be opposed to that. We will support whatever decision is made in that regard.”
Councillor Dave Mattes questioned the “geofencing” capability of e-scooters, wondering how precise they are. For example, can you set it up so they can’t operate on sidewalks?
“We’re not quite there yet,” Boileau said, adding: “We can set it up the best we can, but I can’t guarantee it.”
Mayor Martin Johansen said riding on sidewalks is the only downside he can see with allowing e-scooters in Oliver.
Randy Houle, director of development services, said geofencing would be helpful on the hike and bike trail. He noted the Town has had a few complaints about e-bikes on the trail. He suggested if the e-scooters could be limited to 12 km/h on the trail, that would be a comfortable speed.
Councillor Petra Veintimilla said the e-scooter project in Oliver sounds very interesting, referring to the tourism benefits.
“I would be all for it (being accepted as a pilot project), she said.”
