Kelowna holding off on launching e-scooter service

After suddenly appearing on sidewalks and boardwalks last summer, Kelowna’s e-scooter service has yet to be redeployed in 2020.

However, despite some controversy surrounding the self transportation vehicles, it’s COVID-19 that’s keeping operators from launching the service.

According to Matt Worona, active transportation coordinator with the City, for the past two months Kelowna has held off from allowing operators such as Zipp and ROLL to launch the service due to concerns surrounding the virus.

It remains to be seen when the City will allow the e-scooters to be used once again.

Operators had been optimistic that proposed legislation permitting e-scooters on BC’s roadways would pave the way for smoother sailing after a bumpy launch for the service.

People who choose new types of transport (think e-scooters, electric unicycles, Segways) will benefit from MVA amendments proposed today. If passed, they'll establish a regulatory framework to allow the use of increasingly diverse modes of transportation: https://t.co/erIONNAA2K

— BC Transportation (@TranBC) October 7, 2019

Kelowna city councillors were quick to critique the devices that were only allowed on sidewalks and pathways, hindering their ability to service people as well as Drop Bike.

With the ability to speed up to 30 km/h, concerns were raised over reckless use and few users wearing helmets.

While the peak summer months in 2019 saw more than 5,000 riders on Kelowna’s fleet of e-scooters, a transition to e-bikes was being widely considered.