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Richmond RCMP highlights the efforts of their Road Safety Unit to educate the public and safe and lawful use of e-scooters in Richmond.

Photo via RCMP.ca

Richmond RCMP highlights enhanced e-scooter education

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 2:47 PDT, Tue April 9, 2024

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As the City of Richmond continues its participation in BC’s Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project, Richmond RCMP is highlighting the ongoing efforts of our Road Safety Unit (RSU) to educate the public on the safe and lawful use of electronic kick scooters (e-scooters) in Richmond.

As part of our commitment to public safety, our e-scooter initiatives include proactive patrols and public awareness campaigns aimed at enhancing the safety of all road users.

Our RSU, Bike Patrol Unit, and community volunteers are actively involved in community outreach related to e-scooters and providing information on the lawful and safe use of e-scooters, in line with British Columbia’s Motor Vehicle Act and local bylaws.

In 2023, Richmond RCMP also released a safety video to promote e-scooter safety education to a broader audience.

Provincial rules governing e-scooter operation include:

Minimum 16 years of age
Approved cycle helmet
Single use only: you must not carry or tow any passengers or devices.
Use turn signals
It is illegal to operate an e-scooter while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or while using an electronic device.
Slow down around pedestrians: you must not travel at a faster speed than pedestrians if you are on a walkway or path, except to pass, which requires sounding a bell or horn.
Failing to follow the rules can result in penalties and 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 as follows:

All streets with designated cycle lanes
Local streets with a maximum speed limit of 50 km or less.
Paved pathways designated for shared cycle use with pedestrians.

E-scooters are not permitted on sidewalks or on unpaved trails. Maximum speeds are:

20 km/h on roadways
15km/h on paved pathways shared with pedestrians.

Fines for bylaw infractions range from $95.00 to $175.00.

To learn more, visit the City of Richmond website.

Municipal bylaws for e-scooters may vary between jurisdictions. It is important to familiarize yourself with the bylaws of the community in which you are riding.

To further our safety and outreach efforts, we will be partnering with the City of Richmond and ICBC for an upcoming Skills and Safety Clinic on June 1 at the Lansdowne Centre northwest parking lot from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The clinic is designed to offer hands-on learning experiences for e-scooter enthusiasts and newcomers alike, focusing on skill development, safe riding practices, and legal requirements.

For more details about upcoming community safety events in Richmond, please download the City of Richmond’s Community Safety App.

To report unsafe riding behaviour, call the Richmond RCMP non-emergency telephone number at 604-278-1212, or via online crime reporting.