Kelowna RCMP issues e-scooter safety message – Okanagan
Wear a helmet, be of legal age and follow the rules.
When it comes to renting or using electric scooters, Kelowna RCMP are once again urging riders not to become an injury statistic.
Earlier this week, PKBNEWS reported that a 19-year-old girl was in critical condition after falling from a rented electric scooter last Friday evening along Gordon Drive.
Police say that since July 1, they have 109 files involving e-scooter incidents.
Additionally, a Kelowna doctor told PKBNEWS he and his colleagues regularly see scooter-related injuries in emergency rooms.
The machines can be seen all over Kelowna, one of eight cities participating in a three-year e-scooter pilot project launched by the province in 2021.
Police say since then, the public can legally ride e-scooters on specific streets and paved trails, as long as they follow provincial and municipal regulations.
“Scooters and e-bikes provide convenient transportation options in Kelowna. However, ensuring everyone’s safety depends on users knowing, understanding and following the rules,” said Const. Mike Della-Paolera.
“Electric scooters should be used in Kelowna under the same rules as bicycles. This means that it is forbidden to drive on the sidewalks; stick to streets, bike paths and multi-use paths.
In addition, the police also noted the following regulations:
- riders must be 16 years or older
- when renting an e-scooter, the renter must be 18 years old
- Wearing a helmet is mandatory
- pa*sengers are not allowed on electric scooters
- towing another person, vehicle, bicycle or device is not permitted
- being impaired while riding an electric scooter is illegal
- Electric scooters are not permitted in City Park and along the downtown waterfront.
- electric scooters can no longer circulate in the city center after 10:30 p.m.
The RCMP says failure to follow these rules can result in fines of up to $2,000.
More information on state and local e-scooter regulations is available online.
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