Making micro-mobility easier in Manitoba
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/05/2022 (392 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
As we look towards the warmer weather of spring and summer, the province is supporting steps towards innovative personal transportation options, particularly for our urban areas. My colleague, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk recently introduced a bill that will pave the way to piloting micro-mobility transportation in the province.
Micro-mobility modes of transportation include electronic scooters, bikes and mopeds. In recent years, rental bikes and scooters have soared in popularity in urban centres. The rentals are available at a variety of locations throughout a city and accessed via an app and rental account. When users are done, the bikes or scooters can be easily dropped off at the most convenient location. These are popular not only among visitors — residents also use them to run errands or visit friends.
With this proposed amended legislation, Manitoba is poised to find out what could work well for us in our communities. Following in the footsteps of other Canadian cities, initial pilot projects done in collaboration with municipal governments will allow us to find the best fit for cities such as Winnipeg. After two years of pilot projects, Calgary approved a fleet of 1,500 scooters last year.
Projects and initiatives such as these can have many benefits. Apart from expanding and supporting transportation options for visitors and residents, this is a small step toward low-emission options which can help lower our greenhouse gas emissions. There are also economic benefits, with new business opportunities and potential jobs if micro-mobility companies join our local market.
In addition to amendments that support the piloting of these types of transportation, the legislation also makes space for shared streets. Authorities would have the option to designate streets, permanently or temporarily, to be shared streets with reduced speed limits and which are also open to pedestrians, bicycles, and micro-mobility machines as well as vehicles.
As we saw people enjoying local routes for walking and biking over the past two years, these amendments should give our thriving communities additional options to be mobile, active and safe. I look forward to seeing more of these innovative initiatives roll out as we collaborate with municipal partners to meet the needs of our growing communities.
Audrey Gordon
Southdale constituency report
Audrey Gordon is the PC MLA for Southdale.