Halifax aims to regulate e-scooters with proposed statutes

Halifax is moving forward with e-scooter regulation and plans are in the works to regulate the rental market for the popular devices.

At a meeting Tuesday, councilors discussed the proposed micromobility regulationwhich deals with electric scooters, but could eventually cover other devices as technology changes.

“If nothing else, it would be a big improvement to address the full ‘throw your scooter anywhere’ situation that’s out there,” Coun says. Sam Austin said at the meeting.

The ordinance would set a 15 mph speed limit on Halifax roads, which is lower than the provincial speed limit of 20 mph. Scooters are only allowed on streets with a speed limit of 50 km/h or lower. There will be a 15 km/h limit on multi-use trails and scooters will also be banned from most parks.

Scooters are currently treated as bicycles under the Motor Vehicles Act and must be ridden on cycle lanes or the carriageway. But the city’s ordinance gives more specific enforcement powers. Anyone allowing a scooter to be “left” on municipal property, such as sidewalks or parks, so that they block foot or vehicle traffic is in violation of the ordinance.

City officials said they would like to hire two new officials to help with enforcement. Once the new rules are in effect, staff or police could hand out tickets worth a minimum of $50 or confiscate illegally parked scooters.

Shelley Adams of CNIB Nova Scotia said scooters can be dangerous for all pedestrians, but especially those with low vision. People in the city still trip over parked scooters or get spooked as they speed past on the sidewalk.

“Regulations are great when they’re followed,” Adams said Wednesday. “People need to realize that…there will be consequences.”

Pilot will start in 2024

The staff also shared early plans for a pilot that will start next year. It would win one or two companies a contract to rent bicycles and scooters in the city.

The pilot could lead to new requirements such as designated scooter parking hubs, locked helmets on the devices, or sidewalk sensing technology.

Max Rastelli, owner of HFX e-Scooters and Segway Nova Scotia, said he welcomes the bylaws and hopes he can stay in business as one of the selected operators through the pilot.

Currently, there is an audio recording that plays when riders unlock a scooter that reminds them to stay off the curb. Rastelli’s team regularly drives around town exchanging batteries and moving abandoned scooters.

But the “real world” application of parking hubs may not be helpful, Rastelli said, because he’s seen more Haligonians use the scooters to commute or take short trips, so he argues it’s best to have users legally in the city to park.

“The focus should be on education and enforcement, and maybe not trying to do too much with the rules and technologies for the operators,” Rastelli said on Wednesday.

“If you make it too difficult, you almost tie their hands and the whole project becomes a failure.”

The staff report noted that data shows that 33 percent of car trips originating from Halifax’s city center are less than two miles, presenting an opportunity for some drivers to switch to greener options such as bicycles and scooters.

“Those who hate them, maybe step back and try to see the bigger picture here … for climate change and the climate crisis we’re in,” Rastelli said.

MoVe Scooters’ Harry Baker said they are open to parking hubs and are already working with local hotels to install some.

“It’s history in Halifax, because it’s going to be — it’s the future,” Baker said.

“Compare us to some of the other cities in Canada, they’ve had this going for years. So it’s exciting, it’s extremely exciting.”

The bylaws are expected to be sent for final approval in July, with more details about the pilot.