E-scooter riders are now legally allowed to use streets in Victoria, Langford and Saanich under a provincial pilot program that started Friday.
The pilot program allows electric kick scooter riders to travel on designated bike lanes on streets with speed limits of 50 km/h or lower, or as far right as possible if no bike lane is available.
On streets with speed limits above 50 km/h, e-scooters are only allowed on designated bike lanes.
Through the pilot program, e-scooter riders must wear a helmet, be at least 16 years old, and their scooters must have a speed limiter that caps their maximum speed to 25 km/h.
E-scooters are not allowed on sidewalks or anywhere that is considered a pedestrian-only pathway.
While e-scooters are not a new sight on Vancouver Island, the province has been slow to enact official regulations. This pilot program will “help determine if and how electric kick scooters should be permanently authorized for general use in B.C.,” according to the province.
Victoria, Langford and Saanich are among 13 municipalities in B.C. that are part of the pilot project, which will last for four years.
Other major communities on the list include the City of Vancouver, City of Richmond and City of Kelowna.
“This pilot project will give residents and visitors another clean, convenient and relatively affordable option for getting around Victoria,” said the City of Victoria in a release Friday.
Friday actually marks the second phase of the e-scooter pilot project in B.C.
The first phase launched in 2021, when 13 other municipalities tested the use of e-scooters on city streets.
During the first phase, Nanaimo was the only Island community to be included in the pilot project.
The second phase opened up to any municipality that chose to opt in to the new regulations.
More information on e-scooter regulations in B.C. can be found on the provincial government website.
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Adam Chan
