E-Scooter Pilot Project

E-Scooter Pilot: January 2023 - April 2028

Coquitlam is one of eight communities to participate in the provincial e-scooter pilot project as part of our continuing work to reduce carbon emissions in the community.

Coquitlam is extending its commitment to promote greener travel through an extension of its e-scooter pilot to 2028, enabling people age 16 and up to ride e-scooters on designated routes throughout Coquitlam or use the e-scooter and e-bike sharing services in City Centre.

On December 1, 2023, the Province of BC passed Order in Council No. 640 that provided updated Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Guidelines, additional provisions to the Motor Vehicle Act, and extended the Pilot date to April 5, 2028.

What is an E-Scooter?

E-scooters are electrically powered kick scooters that are suited to short urban trips.  People on e-scooters generally have the same rights, rules, and responsibilities as people cycling.  Additional information can be found on the Province’s pilot project webpage.

Shared Micromobility Pilot: June 2023 - December 2024

Service Providers

We are making it easier to access sustainable transportation in the City Centre  with the approval of two shared-service providers for both e-scooters and e-bikes until December 2024. The selected applicants are:

Both providers are responsible for parking issues, maintenance and the removal and relocation of shared devices. If you are a private property owner, you can contact the providers directly to discuss setting up micromobility service on your property.

Finding and Unlocking Shared E-Bikes and E-Scooters

Shared e-bikes and e-scooters use downloadable apps to allow you to find and unlock the device and then pay. You can rent an e-scooter or e-bike within City Centre as shown in the map below. The service area may incrementally expand.

Shared Service Provider City Centre map

Where can I ride a shared e-scooter or e-bike?

  • Where cycling is allowed
  • On micromobility routes and shared multi-use pathways
  • Designated bike lanes

Where are shared e-scooters and e-bikes not permitted?

  • Sidewalks, except where signage allows
  • On roads where the posted speed limit is greater than 50 km/hr
  • Plazas
  • Public recreation amenities, such as skate parks and spray parks
  • Inside buildings

Do I need to wear a helmet?

  • Yes, it’s the law and reduces injuries. Helmets are provided with the shared e-mobility devices or you can bring your own.

Can I carry a passenger?

  • Only one rider per e-scooter is permitted – passengers are not allowed. Do not carry, tow, push or pull another person, device or object while using your E-scooter.

Do I need a driver’s license to ride an e-scooter?

  • No, the Provincial regulations do not require a driver’s license to ride an e-scooter or e-bike.

Concerns and Complaints  

Who to Contact

Requests to move devices
Contact providers directly at the following. Include the device number and address:

If the issue has not been resolved within two business days, then contact us at epw@coquitlam.ca and provide a photo that shows the device number.

If you see someone riding an e-scooter improperly (e.g. without a helmet, on the sidewalk, doubling up, intoxicated, or under 16 years of age) 
Submit a Service Request for Roads and Traffic. Please include a photo, location, and time. Complaints submitted with a photo and location, time and date will be passed to the service provider who will can then warn or fine the rider. Of course, unsafe or intoxicated riding can also always be reported directly to law enforcement.

For general questions or feedback about the program
Please submit a Service Request for Roads and Traffic.

  1. Safe Riding
  2. City Bylaws
  3. Background

People riding e-scooters generally have the same rights, rules and responsibilities as people riding bikes but there are more specific restrictions with e-scooters.

An electric kick scooter must be equipped with:

  • One or more electric motors powered by batteries with a continuous power output rating not exceeding 500 watts.
  • A braking system that meets the minimum requirements for stopping 
  • Wheels that are no more than 430mm in diameter
  • A bell or horn
  • A white or amber light on the front of the device when operated between sunset and sunrise.
  • If the device is not equipped with a light an operator may carry or wear a light on their person when operating the device
  • The device must not have a seat or a surface structure that can be used as a seat, pedals or a structure enclosing it

Riders must:

  • Be 16 years old or older 
  • Have a bell and lights
  • Wear a helmet
  • Limit speed to 24 km/h for e-scooters and 32km/h for e-bikes
  • Ride alone
  • Not drink and ride: Use of shared e-scooters or e-bikes while intoxicated is illegal

Etiquette

  • Ride with care around pedestrians
  • Bell or yell - call out on your left or ring your bell before passing
  • Obey traffic signs and signals
  • Park responsibly and in designated areas
  • Park in a secure, upright position in designated areas, such as the furniture zone of the sidewalk, residential unrestricted on-street parking lanes and other areas that don't obstruct sidewalks, travel lanes, doorways, driveways, bike lanes, etc. 
  • On sidewalks without furniture zones, give at least 1.5 meters of clear space.

Where to Ride

  • Where cycling is allowed
  • On multi-use pathways
  • Designated bike lanes

Restrictions 

  • If the road has a speed limit above 50 km/h, you can only use an electric kick scooter in a designated micromobility lane or multi-use pathway, also known as MUPs. 
  • No riding on sidewalks or on park trails or pathways unless permitted by signs or pavement markings
  • Ride as close to the right as possible on streets with no MUP
  • Don't park in a way that will block or inhibit other sidewalk users, including those in wheelchairs who likely need more room to get by.
  • At transit stops, don't block the boarding zone, either at the front or the rear
  • Don't park on narrow sidewalks
  • Don't block curb letdowns
  • On pathways, park to the side of the pathway on the grass
  • Do not block doors, driveways, ramps, stairs, handrails, or other access points

Coquitlam’s Updated Strategic Transportation Plan

The City adopted the current STP in 2012. Since then the City has made progress in increasing sustainable transportation in Coquitlam such as walking, cycling and public transit. There have also been significant changes in transportation over the last ten years, including the addition of SkyTrain, consideration of different kinds of street users, and emerging technologies to address climate change mitigation and adaptation. 

A new STP will provide a refreshed long-term vision for Coquitlam’s transportation network with a focus on prioritizing key actions and policy changes for the next 10 years. It will also align with other City plans such as the recently-adopted Environmental Sustainability Plan and the Economic Development Strategy in development, while also applying the City’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Learn more at  coquitlam.ca/transportationplan.

Documents and Links

News

Reports To Council

Province of BC