City hall orders report about potential electric scooter, bike invasion

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This article was published 05/02/2019 (2616 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Council’s public works committee has instructed city staff to prepare a report within the next six months on the logistics of rolling out electric scooter and electric bicycle sharing in Winnipeg.

The motion was put forth by committee chairman Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface), who has argued the high-tech craze is set to hit Winnipeg’s streets at some point soon, whether the city is ready for it or not.

“We want to get ready, because we know this phenomenon sometimes it happens without the municipality’s consent. So we’re looking to establish a framework, probably a permitting system, that would establish some controls, probably some fees, and the ability to withdraw permits,” Allard said.

Dockless electric bikes and electric scooters are rented via a smartphone app, which allows the renter to locate the nearest bike or scooter, unlock the device, then lock it when the ride has ended.

It has become a billion-dollar industry around the globe, with companies setting up shop in major cities throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

However, the industry has reportedly created some headaches for municipalities, including the rental scooters and bikes becoming so common in some downtown neighbourhoods they’ve been considered litter and drawn the ire of area residents.

One company interested in rolling out its operation in Winnipeg is the U.S.-based Lime, which is already established in cities throughout North America. It currently operates in two Canadian cities: Waterloo, Ont., and Calgary.

Chris Schafer, Lime’s senior director of strategic development for Canada, was on hand at Tuesday’s committee meeting to lay out why he thinks its business fits well with the city’s active transportation plan.

“I could throw a dart at a dartboard, a Canadian map, and any city that dart lands on, chances are they have a transportation master plan, or an active transportation plan, and they’re talking about things like mode shift and greener, healthier lifestyles,” Schafer said.

“They’re talking about getting people out of cars and into other forms of active transportation. They’re talking about making investments either in making or expanding the infrastructure for cycling.”

The motion was unanimously supported by the committee, which also includes Couns. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan), Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan) and Vivian Santos (Point Douglas).

Allard said while he doesn’t think electric scooters and electric bicycle sharing has much revenue potential for the city, it would operate as revenue-neutral.

Schafer, meanwhile, said he thinks there are a number of signs that point to it being potentially popular with locals.

“Winnipeg has a sizable population, it’s got the density of an urban core, it’s got a burgeoning tech scene as well. It’s got the university population. So we think there are several ingredients there that would make it an attractive option for people,” Schafer said.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca