Central Saanich is looking into the benefits, implications and costs of joining the province’s extended e-scooter pilot program.
During its meeting Monday (Feb. 12), council carried a motion for staff to report their findings at a future date.
“I think it would be great if a community like ours could be a part of the pilot project and inform long-term decisions from the province,” Coun. Sarah Riddell said during the meeting.
B.C. announced in December 2023 that a detailed safety study is coming for electric kick scooters, which will replace the first phase of the e-scooter pilot project that first started in 2021 which tested the use of the transportation in 13 communities over a three-year period.
“E-scooters are part of an ongoing shift toward electric personal mobility that’s reducing emissions by giving people new clean and affordable options to get around,” B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming said when the safety study was announced.
The District of Central Saanich has set a goal of reducing community emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 compared to 2007 levels.
This new safety review starts on April 4 and runs for four years. During this period, people will be able to legally use the e-scooters in any communities that permits their use.
“E-scooters are smaller than a bike, they are easier to bring on transit and to store when you get to your destination and they are accessible to youth,” Riddell said. “I think they are really fun way to get around.”
– With files from Lauren Collins
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