Salmon Arm is taking steps to join the province’s electric kick scooter pilot project, but a local e-scooter rental or share program is not coming soon—if it arrives at all.
At its Aug. 11 meeting, city council approved participation in B.C.’s pilot project. The program tests the safety of battery-powered kick scooters and considers whether they should be permanently allowed.
Council first discussed joining the project at a development planning and services committee meeting on Aug. 5. Members unanimously supported starting the process to legalize scooter use for residents aged 16 and older, which already occurs informally in the community. Legal use also requires wearing a helmet, keeping speeds under 25 km/h, and limiting scooters to 500 watts or less.
Coun. Kevin Flynn, absent from the Aug. 5 meeting, offered cautious support for the pilot project but emphasized it is not the same as a public e-scooter share program, such as those in Vernon or Kelowna.
“Looking at the infrastructure and the terrain here compared to Kelowna, we are in a much different position,” said Flynn.
Council agreed with a phased approach recommended by planning and community services director Gary Buxton. The first phase involves joining the provincial program. Later phases will include discussions with the city’s Traffic and Safety Committee, RCMP, and bylaw enforcement about rules, enforcement, and the possible use of e-scooters by children under 16.
One future phase may involve reviewing traffic bylaws or creating a “small wheels” bylaw, a process Buxton said could take about six months. He added that issuing a request for proposal (RFP) for an e-scooter share program is premature.
“It wouldn’t make sense to start an RFP before these pieces are settled,” Buxton said. “The rules and regulations must be clear first because they would shape any RFP.”
Coun. Tim Lavery agreed, saying the city is “a long way away from considering an RFP, even if we could get one.”
Public engagement is another step before a share program could be considered. The city began this process by posting information about the pilot project on social media on Aug. 12. The post prompted questions about rental programs, enforcement, and the city’s infrastructure for scooters and bicycles.
Buxton stressed that joining the e-scooter pilot does not mean rental scooters will be available in the city.
“This is not a share or rental program where scooters will be picked up and dropped off around the community,” Buxton said. “That is a later step, and there is no timeline for it yet. Right now, the pilot only allows adults to use scooters on city streets. Future phases will address children on scooters and eventually a rental program.”
The city’s approach reflects a careful, step-by-step method to safely integrate electric kick scooters. By starting with adults on city streets and gradually reviewing rules, Salmon Arm aims to ensure safety while exploring future transportation options.
Council and city staff emphasize that while the pilot project is approved, residents should not expect a user-share program anytime soon. Public input and proper planning will guide any potential expansion to rental programs in the future.
For now, the pilot project marks the first formal step for e-scooters in Salmon Arm, setting the stage for careful evaluation and potential broader adoption down the line.
