Halifax’s shared e-bike, scooter pilot causing some accessibility issues, say advocates
Halifax’s new micromobility pilot program has been causing some accessibility issues for people with disabilities, specifically those who are blind or have sight loss. Tara Niekamp, who is co-chair of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind’s volunteer Nova Scotia strategic leadership council, has expressed concerns about electric scooters being parked in the middle of the sidewalk. This poses a safety risk for individuals with sight loss, as it can be difficult to navigate around these obstacles.
Michelle Mahoney, a person with a disability and accessibility officer for the University of King’s College, has also noticed scooters obstructing sidewalks multiple times. This is not only inconvenient but also poses a hazard for pedestrians, especially those with mobility challenges.
The pilot program, which launched on May 15, aims to improve urban transportation options by introducing nearly 600 e-bikes and e-scooters in Halifax and Dartmouth. Riders have already traveled over 24,000 kilometers, with an average trip length of 2.8 kilometers. Austin Spademan, head of government partnerships for Bird Canada, the company delivering the program, stated that they have a team patrolling the city to address issues such as improper parking of devices.
To prevent scooters from being left in the middle of the sidewalk, Bird Canada uses technology, including Google AI, to validate parking locations to the centimeter level. Riders who violate parking rules are given warnings, fines for repeat offenses, and ultimately banned from using the service. While no fines have been issued in Halifax so far, Spademan mentioned that warnings are usually enough to deter further violations.
In response to concerns raised about accessibility, Halifax Regional Municipality has been working with Bird to adjust and improve parking locations. Additional shared micromobility parking spots will now be located on the street to keep sidewalks clear. It is essential for these parking stations to meet accessibility criteria to ensure that individuals with disabilities can navigate the city safely.
Niekamp suggested that raised lips around designated parking stations could help individuals with sight loss using white canes to navigate more easily. The municipality tracks misuse of devices through 311 and Bird, allowing residents to report incidents directly to the company.
Overall, improving accessibility is a fundamental aspect of the micromobility pilot program in Halifax. By addressing issues such as improper parking and ensuring that designated parking areas are accessible to all, the program can provide a safe and convenient transportation option for everyone in the community.
