E-scooters are here in the City of Red Deer for the next two years, and with five companies providing them, we are in for an exhilarating ride.
I had the good fortune to be at Capstone for the City of Red Deer’s official launch on Wednesday, July 14, alongside the Mayor, various city delegates, food trucks, music and the wonderfully entertaining Spandy Andy. We were able to watch, learn and try out the different scooters from Link Scooters (lime yellow), Neuron Mobility (orange), Bird Canada (black and white), Roll Scooters (Yellow) and Spin (black and orange). The instructions were simple, and though. I was a little nervous when I first got on; it was clear rolling after the first 5 seconds. I now had the opportunity to do a little exploring; all that was required was my phone (to download their app), a credit card (the only way to pay) and to be 18 or older (no problem there). What a blast, they give you a sense of freedom cruising along the trails of Red Deer, stopping in for a cup of coffee, and not having to worry about whether my scooter was going to be there when I came out. Yes, you can reserve it, so motoring around downtown, popping into the shops, going for groceries, or maybe leaving the car at home and scootering to work is now an option.
The scooters will be here till October 29 and then put away until next spring, so make sure you take the time to try them out before then. For more information, check out Red Deer’s website for some frequently asked questions and don’t forget safety. We share these trails and sidewalks with our fellow Red Deerians, so please scooter safely. Also, don’t forget to stay hydrated while rolling along the trails; Capstone has some outdoor water fountains, a great place to take a drink or refill your water bottle.
Here are some safety tips the city of Red Deer has provided to make your e-scooter trip more enjoyable as we explore Red deer’s backyard.
- Pedestrians first - Always yield to and be mindful of people walking on sidewalks.
- Be considerate - Use the bell to alert others when passing on the sidewalk or pathway.
- Rider safety rules - Shared e-scooters are available to riders aged 18+. Helmets are encouraged but not required. The maximum speed limit is 20 km/hr. Only one rider per e-scooter is allowed. There are some slow zones in the park system that are controlled by geo-fencing.
- Park responsibly - Park in a secure, upright position in designated areas, such as furniture zones of sidewalks, public bike racks and other marked parking zones. On sidewalks without furniture zones, give at least two meters of clearance for accessibility.
- Right and report - If you see a shared e-scooter toppled over or parked improperly, help out by righting the shared e-scooter or reporting the issue. Contact info for each company is provided on each shared e-scooter.
We would love to hear your e-scooter stories as you cruise the trails and sidewalks of Red Deer, so please Tag us @TourismRedDeer on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
