According to a City of Kelowna councillor, the newly implemented e-scooter rideshare programs, including OGO Scooters, Bunny Scooters and Zip, are impeding on the enjoyment of pedestrians in downtown Kelowna.
Coun. Brad Sieben said the scooters, though billed as a method of transportation, have become more recreation-based and are dangerous to pedestrians and users alike.
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In an Aug. 26 morning meeting, Sieben raised concerns to his fellow councillors about how the scooters are being used, the safety of pedestrians and the lack of helmet usage.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 not unanimous, I have seen people using it as a mode of transportation,害羞草研究所� said Sieben.
害羞草研究所淏ut more of what I害羞草研究所檝e seen is (the scooters) being used as a novelty-type rental, especially along the promenade in City Park and Stuart Park. To be honest, I害羞草研究所檝e found it to be intrusive to people害羞草研究所檚 enjoyment of that promenade.害羞草研究所�
Sieben said while the fun of the scooters isn害羞草研究所檛 a bad thing, there are better ways to do it. He cited Dropbike, the bike-share program that nixed its deal with the City of Kelowna after less than a year, as a good example of balance between recreation and transportation.
害羞草研究所�(Dropbike) was actually being used to get from point A to point B and for fun and recreation. This is more recreation; less of a viable transportation option that I害羞草研究所檓 seeing,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 been an absolute void without bike share this summer and it害羞草研究所檚 been a shame to not have what was so successful last year. Certainly, the e-scooters, in my opinion, have not replaced or enhanced that. I wish it wasn害羞草研究所檛 an either this or that situation but if I had my choice I害羞草研究所檇 take bike share, for sure.害羞草研究所�
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Sieben also lauded bike share programs as a good way to get some exercise, something which he said is lacking in the e-scooter programs.
Sieben said several council members share his sentiment but he is keen to have city staff write a report on how the programs have been used throughout the city for a more in-depth look from council.
OGO Scooters co-owner, Chris Szydlowski said he is open for conversations with the city regarding the scooters.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e always trying to find ways to improve,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淚t is a pretty new transportation option for people, so there害羞草研究所檚 a certain amount of excitement. There害羞草研究所檚 room to improve where we can ride and as the laws develop, to make it safer. Long term, I really think people are looking at e-scooters and other electric devices as micro-mobility to reduce the biggest danger in our city, which is cars, trucks and congestion.害羞草研究所�
In response to the lack of helmets, Szydlowski said initially they had helmets for every scooter but after a short period of time, they were all missing.
害羞草研究所淎nother challenge with the helmets is hygiene,害羞草研究所� he said, adding that people don害羞草研究所檛 want to wear helmets full of somebody else害羞草研究所檚 sweat.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e exploring all avenues, including partnerships, to have helmets available. We also will have helmets available through our waterfront team that is out there helping customers on an ongoing basis.害羞草研究所�
Founder of Zip Scooters, Luke Mydlarz, shared a similar sentiment.
害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 agree with (Sieben),害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淵ou can look at the world market and see that these scooters are helping lots of things: from reducing cars on roads to reducing emissions and pollution in the atmosphere 害羞草研究所� especially in congested areas.害羞草研究所�
Mydlarz said e-scooters are projected to be a $25 billion industry by 2025 and he doesn害羞草研究所檛 see it at all as a novelty.
He cited a 2018 , which found 71 per cent of Portlanders most frequently used e-scooters to get to a destination. The report also said six per cent of users reported getting rid of a car because of e-scooters and another 16 per cent considered it.
害羞草研究所淏efore councillors make these kinds of comments, they should probably do some research or feel free reach out to operators such as myself,害羞草研究所� he said.
Bunny Scooters could not be reached for comment.
michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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