Edmontonians will now be able to catch a ride on a shared e-scooter or e-bike in Mill Woods thanks to a new City of Edmonton pilot project.
Riders and residents will also experience new safety and parking features designed to test new approaches and inform future improvements to the Shared Micromobility program.
“We’re excited to bring shared e-scooters and e-bikes to Mill Woods, while also using the pilot to test new ways to improve safety and parking,” said Jordana Kulchar, General Supervisor, Planning and Permitting.
“The pilot will help us understand what works best so we can continue improving the Shared Micromobility program.”
As part of the Mill Woods pilot program, the city has established specific operating and parking zones for shared e-scooters and e-bikes.
Designated riding areas align with the Active Transportation Network, a series of bike lanes and shared pathways for walking, cycling and rolling.
Users must park e-scooters and e-bikes in designated parking spots located at major intersections, near transit stops and a short walk from nearby homes.
“Mill Woods was selected for the pilot because there was strong community interest and because it gives us a great opportunity to test new operating requirements,” said Kulchar.
“Its connection to the Active Transportation Network, along with features like narrower sidewalks and fewer boulevards, makes it an ideal area to try out new approaches that support safer riding and better parking before they could be tested elsewhere in Edmonton.”
As part of the pilot, riding shared e-scooters and e-bikes in Mill Woods is permitted only on Mill Woods Road or within 50 metres of the City’s Active Transportation Network, which includes shared-use pathways and bike lanes.
The city is establishing designated parking areas, or corrals, in Mill Woods where shared e-scooters and e-bikes can be parked without obstructing pathways or infrastructure.
A mix of physical and digital corrals can be found using the Bird and Lime apps, the city’s two approved vendors. Most corrals will be within 200 metres of each other and approximately 500 metres from residential areas.
Device screens and mobile apps will notify riders if they attempt to end a trip outside a designated parking area. Riders who abandon a device without ending their trip properly will continue to incur per-minute charges as a penalty fee.
More information can be found here.
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