Another transportation option for residents and visitors to explore Cranbrook is poised to launch later this summer, after the City partnered with Bird Canada to bring nearly 100 e-Scooters online.
Bird Canada is the leading Canadian micromobility provider that operates an electric vehicle-sharing program.
Bird Canada is a Canadian-owned and operated company that offers Canadians, and visitors to Canada, a new way to avoid congestion and get around that is sustainable and uses the most innovative last-mile mobility solutions for urban areas.
This service, which must meet the requirements of the BC Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Regulation, is anticipated to operate from June until mid-November 2024 for the first year of this pilot program. e-Scooters are to be available 24 hours per day, seven days per week with additional safety measures built in to deter intoxicated riders from potentially using these vehicles. e-Scooters will be preset with a maximum speed of 24 km/hour and will be accessible only to those riders 16 years of age or older.
“City Council are very excited to be considered for this pilot program for Cranbrook, that has proven to be successful in other areas,” says Mayor Wayne Price. “I would like to thank Councillor Graham for championing this initiative around the Council table.”
A lot of important work and planning is needed by the City, in partnership with Bird Canada before this service can become operational.
“On the City’s side, there will be public safety and route planning required, along with coordinating appropriate parking areas, identifying slow and no-ride zones, and making changes to some of our bylaws before this new e-Scooter service can get off the ground,” says Katelyn Pocha, Project Manager for the City of Cranbrook. “We will be working closely with the contractor on many of these important items, with Bird Canada overseeing recruitment of local staff to work on the e-Scooters as needed and to do spot checks to make sure these scooters are being used appropriately and safely.”
Pedestrian safety is also a key consideration, with the City and Bird Canada to work closely to customizec real-time safety features, including real-time sidewalk detection to instantly warn users if the user is not using the sidewalk properly and slow the scooter down to a complete stop. Warning sounds will also be emitted to warn nearby pedestrians when scooters are approaching.
“This is an exciting step forward in advancing active transportation in Cranbrook,” says Kristy Jahn-Smith, Executive Director of Cranbrook Tourism. “Being able to conveniently use scooters to commute short distances in the city will be of benefit to residents and visitors. We are excited to see this new amenity available in Cranbrook.”
A standard pay-per-use fee structure will be set up at $1 to unlock the e-Scooter, and $0.35 per minute. A monthly subscription program and daily, weekly, or monthly ride passes will be available, along with a low-income pricing program.
More information will be provided to the public closer to the launch date.