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.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 not unanimous, I have seen people using it as a mode of transportation,91裸聊视频� said Sieben.
91裸聊视频淏ut more of what I91裸聊视频檝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, I91裸聊视频檝e found it to be intrusive to people91裸聊视频檚 enjoyment of that promenade.91裸聊视频�
Sieben said while the fun of the scooters isn91裸聊视频檛 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.
91裸聊视频�(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 I91裸聊视频檓 seeing,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 been an absolute void without bike share this summer and it91裸聊视频檚 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 wasn91裸聊视频檛 an either this or that situation but if I had my choice I91裸聊视频檇 take bike share, for sure.91裸聊视频�
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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.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e always trying to find ways to improve,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淚t is a pretty new transportation option for people, so there91裸聊视频檚 a certain amount of excitement. There91裸聊视频檚 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.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淎nother challenge with the helmets is hygiene,91裸聊视频� he said, adding that people don91裸聊视频檛 want to wear helmets full of somebody else91裸聊视频檚 sweat.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙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.91裸聊视频�
Founder of Zip Scooters, Luke Mydlarz, shared a similar sentiment.
91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 agree with (Sieben),91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淵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 91裸聊视频� especially in congested areas.91裸聊视频�
Mydlarz said e-scooters are projected to be a $25 billion industry by 2025 and he doesn91裸聊视频檛 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.
91裸聊视频淏efore councillors make these kinds of comments, they should probably do some research or feel free reach out to operators such as myself,91裸聊视频� he said.
Bunny Scooters could not be reached for comment.
michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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