Okotokians will be able to jump on an e-scooter starting this weekend if the weather cooperates.
The Town makes e-scooters available through a partnership with Bird Canada, which will begin distributing the scooters around Town on April 4.
Cassidy Stillie, with the Town of Okotoks, said the season goes from about April 1 to Sept. 30, but is weather dependent.
“(Snow) is the reason why the Birds have not flown in for the summer,” Stillie said.
Between 150 to 200 e-scooters are distributed around Okotoks, so delivery will likely go into the weekend, she said.
E-scooters were introduced in 2021 in a pilot project with Bird Canada that ended last year.
The success of the pilot led the Town to extend its agreement with the e-scooter company through 2026, Stillie said.
“With our buses and our e-scooters and walking and biking, it's those kinds of transportation that we're always trying to promote,” she said.
There were about 22,000 trips taken on the scooters in Okotoks last year.
“Lots of people enjoy them,” Stillie said. “Bird has been a joy to work with.”
New pass options are available, but there are no other changes to the program, she said.
Options include one-, three- or five-day passes or a Bird+ monthly subscription.
The e-scooters have been subject to safety concerns due to being operated recklessly or blocking sidewalks, and some have been damaged by vandalism.
Riders must be 16 or older to use the scooters, and the Town recommends all riders wear a helmet.
The machines can’t go faster than 20 km/h and can only be ridden in a specific operating zone.
There were almost 16,000 rides taken during the program’s first year, when 75 e-scooters were distributed in Okotoks.
