The City of Kelowna has lost another shared e-scooter service provider after the implementation of new restrictions on the program.

Bird Canada has suspended its operations in Kelowna, citing restrictions city council endorsed at its June 14 and 28 meeting as the reason.

害羞草研究所淎fter spending considerable time and resources to ensure compliance with the latest local regulations, it became clear that the program was neither operationally tenable nor economically viable,害羞草研究所� Bird said in an emailed statement to the Capital News.

Bird lasted just a little more than two months in Kelowna, entering the city害羞草研究所檚 shared e-scooter scene as the fourth operator in late May.

READ MORE: Kelowna council slashes e-scooter fleet size

READ MORE: Massive apartment complex proposed for Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Dilworth Centre

The city害羞草研究所檚 new mobility specialist Matt Worona said that around 300 scooters remain in the city after the latest round of restrictions, a significant cut from early June when almost 1,000 were roaming the city daily. Only two of the four approved operators are still running in the city, Lime and Roll, each capped at a 150-scooter fleet. Zip pulled out of the shared-mobility program in June, instead opting to offer daily rentals of its fleet.

Initially, city staff anticipated only one company would be able to meet the July 1, deadline they害羞草研究所檇 set out for operators to comply with the new rules.

害羞草研究所淲e knew a smaller field of companies was likely,害羞草研究所� he said.

With fewer scooters on the streets, Worona said, there have been fewer complaints 害羞草研究所� just as the city hoped when introducing new restrictions. As with any mode of transportation, however, it won害羞草研究所檛 be without its flaws.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e not going to see perfect behaviour out of all these riders. I think you害羞草研究所檇 be hard-pressed to find a travel mode that has that,害羞草研究所� he said.

Despite the decrease in availability, Worona says ridership levels remain strong. Worona said one company reported that each of its scooters is used for 12 trips daily on average.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e seen really, really high utilization as we害羞草研究所檝e moved the fleet down,害羞草研究所� Worona said. 害羞草研究所淚t speaks to the demand for this service.害羞草研究所�

Those fleets still have the chance to grow to meet demand, but Worona said companies first need to show their riders are well-behaved and they are adhering to the city害羞草研究所檚 restrictions.

Despite having to pull out of the program, Bird said it has shared its recommendations on the program with the City of Kelowna and would welcome the opportunity to reapply if it comes up.

害羞草研究所淎s a Canadian-owned and operated micro-mobility company, we believe there is a future for shared e-scooters in Kelowna.害羞草研究所�

michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on , follow us on and subscribe to our daily .