Kick, push, coast. That害羞草研究所檚 what Kelownians will be doing shortly now that the City of Kelowna has penned a deal with United States-based e-scooter company Spin.

In the San Francisco company害羞草研究所檚 international debut, a fleet of 400 electric scooters will be delivered to Kelowna 害羞草研究所渓ikely soon,害羞草研究所� active transportation coordinator Matt Worona said.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e really excited about this,害羞草研究所� Worona said on being Canada害羞草研究所檚 first city to welcome Spin害羞草研究所檚 e-scooter share program.

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Alternative transportation with an electric component has been more attractive to audiences than the typical pedal-powered bicycle share programs, Worona said.

害羞草研究所淔rom last year to this year, the industry has moved quite a bit faster to the electric kick scooters and away from general bikes,害羞草研究所� he said.

The city continues to look for more opportunities with other alternative transportation share programs to create a competitive market.

Worona, alongside city staff and councillors, have to be met before issuing permits with companies to ensure a fair playing field.

害羞草研究所淚t won害羞草研究所檛 be a Wild West,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淭here will be multiple players abiding by the same rules.害羞草研究所�

Currently, the City of Kelowna is talking with the Ministry of Transportation to change regulations to allow this type of vehicle on roadways. As it stands, Worona said, the e-scooters can only be used on multi-use paths such as the Rail Trail.

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He said the ministry is looking to change this as soon as Monday.

害羞草研究所淲e want to be a place where people test things,害羞草研究所� Worona said. 害羞草研究所淲e want to be a place where innovation happens. This is a really, really big deal for Kelowna.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淭he fact that we害羞草研究所檙e open to this kind of thing helps shape the idea of what kind of city this is.害羞草研究所�

Worona said the people of Kelowna can expect more permits with similar companies to be issued next week.

Caitlin.clow@kelownacapnews.com
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