Richmond RCMP has partnered with a local student and ICBC to produce an educational video for people using e-scooters around the city.
Richmond was selected as one of the cities to participate in B.C.’s three-year Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project and, since July 2021, residents have been allowed to legally ride an e-scooter on some municipal streets and paved pathways, while adhering to provincial Motor Vehicle Act regulations and city bylaws.
It has, however, created some degree of friction and concern between the scooter users and pedestrians and motorists.
As such, the RCMP has been conducting proactive education through social media, as well as in person.
And to back that up, police teamed up with ICBC and Richmond student filmmaker Justin Blais to produce a video to help get the e-scooter safety message out.
In the video posted to YouTube, a Richmond Mountie can be seen “scooting” around Steveston Village while offering advice on the rules and regulations for riders.
“E-scooters and ebikes are great options for getting around Richmond, however, to ensure everyone’s safety it’s vital that users know, understand and follow the rules,” said Richmond RCMP’s Cpl. Adriana O’Malley.
“We are very appreciative of Justin for assisting us with creating this video aimed at enhancing community safety.”
Provincial regulations for e-scooter operators include:
You must be 16 years or older.
You must wear a helmet.
No drugs or alcohol. It is illegal to operate an electric kick scooter while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Ride alone. You must not transport any passengers. This includes no towing another person, vehicle, cycle, or other device, including another electric kick scooter.
Failing to follow these rules can be costly, resulting in fines up to $ 2,000.00.
To learn more about e-scooter regulations visit the BC Government website.
In the City of Richmond, e-scooters are permitted to operate only on the following routes:
Streets with cycling facilities such as bike lanes.
Local streets without cycling facilities, defined as a street without lanes lines or a directional dividing line and a maximum speed limit of 50 km/h or less.
Streets without cycling facilities that have a directional dividing line and a maximum speed limit of 30 km/hour.
Off-street paved pathways next to the roadway or in parks that are signed and marked for shared use with pedestrians.
E-scooters are not permitted on sidewalks or on unpaved trails. Maximum speeds are:
20 km/h on roadways.
15 km/h on paved pathways shared with pedestrians.
Fines for infractions range from $95.00 to $175.00.
To learn more, visit the City of Richmond website.
It is important to note that Municipal by-laws for e-scooters may vary between jurisdictions so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the by-laws of the community in which you are riding.
To report unsafe riding behaviour call the Richmond RCMP non-emergency telephone number at 604-278-1212 or via online crime reporting.
