More questions surrounding scooters were raised at Moncton City Council this week.
Councillor Charles Leger says safety issues need to be addressed, “They’re everywhere, and so I feel that it is something that we need to take seriously. If technically we can’t pass a bylaw, we can’t do the three readings in one go, then what would stop us as a suggestion of having a special session of council 10 minutes before our regular public session of Council, and we do the first reading. I think we need to be looking at something along that line. But in any event, I really hope that we take this seriously and we can do this very quickly.”
Community Safety Director and Moncton Fire Chief Conrad Landry says they have met with the two companies in the city who provide e-scooter rentals.
“They do have the technology that could make the e-scooter inoperable on the sidewalk. They are planning on putting helmets, which would be locked, and as soon as you scan it would unlock the helmet. They are very willing to work with us. Without the by-law, they just want to be good entrepreneurs, so we did meet with them and we are in constant communication to try to minimize until a by-law comes into effect.”
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Leger says, “If that is the case, then maybe we won’t need a bylaw, but we need some assurances.”
He also expressed that there is a need for drop-off zones so the scooters aren’t left everywhere.
Leger also referenced a program that provides e-bikes and e-scooters in around 30 municipalities, which all have helmets and the software to prevent them from being used on sidewalks.
“It’s an attempt to understand the safety component, because it is a marvellous way to get around the city, and I’ve seen them being used a lot.”
