So the shared e-scooters arrived in Oshawa this week (Tues April 25), (the only municipality in Durham Region so far to have contracted with Vendors for this pilot project.)
But the day before, Mon Apr 24, the Province announced 2 additional MICRO MOBILILTY pilot projects.
More on that below, but first note that Hamilton launched its e-scooter program 3 weeks before Oshawa's, on Apr 3rd (See the CBC news article about Hamilton's 'roll out' here: https://www.cbc.ca/.../hamilton-e-scooter-pilot-1.6799976
Does anyone notice something different about how the e-scooters are placed on the sidewalk ...beside the Hamilton article picture showing the e-scooter tied to the bicycle stands, are some pictures I took of the Oshawa's e-scooter displays downtown and at the lake to compare.
But the day before, Mon Apr 24, the Province announced 2 additional MICRO MOBILILTY pilot projects.
More on that below, but first note that Hamilton launched its e-scooter program 3 weeks before Oshawa's, on Apr 3rd (See the CBC news article about Hamilton's 'roll out' here: https://www.cbc.ca/.../hamilton-e-scooter-pilot-1.6799976
Does anyone notice something different about how the e-scooters are placed on the sidewalk ...beside the Hamilton article picture showing the e-scooter tied to the bicycle stands, are some pictures I took of the Oshawa's e-scooter displays downtown and at the lake to compare.
 |  |
On the first day Oshawa's Neuron & Bird e-scooter displays looked neat and tidy, placed where they were, in many locations. But I wonder how short the neat and tidy drop off/pick up locations will be when riders leave them in various other locations.
What is most interesting imo, however, is how this 'micro-mobility' trend which has been percolating over the past decade with the e-scooters and e-bikes and jumpstarted by the Province for the the green cause of reducing short car trips, is now advancing with two more plans introduced to the public April 26 with public comment open until May 9, 2023
The Province is proposing changes to the Highway Traffic act to allow compact three-wheeled vehicles Urban Mobility Vehicles (UMVs) on city roads and golf cars — any Ontario municipality can opt in or out of these new pilot programs.
https://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do.
For more info about the cool UMV 3 wheeled vehicle check out this video (Frank Stomach says he will be mass producing these micro one person vehicles this summer!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjvN6ySAETY
What is most interesting imo, however, is how this 'micro-mobility' trend which has been percolating over the past decade with the e-scooters and e-bikes and jumpstarted by the Province for the the green cause of reducing short car trips, is now advancing with two more plans introduced to the public April 26 with public comment open until May 9, 2023
The Province is proposing changes to the Highway Traffic act to allow compact three-wheeled vehicles Urban Mobility Vehicles (UMVs) on city roads and golf cars — any Ontario municipality can opt in or out of these new pilot programs.
https://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do.
For more info about the cool UMV 3 wheeled vehicle check out this video (Frank Stomach says he will be mass producing these micro one person vehicles this summer!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjvN6ySAETY
QUESTIONS:
Bird and Neuron are responsible for collecting and charging their shared e-scooters in Oshawa. These two companies have an agreement with the City (which is not costing the city any tax dollars) and are available to respond to inquiries as follows:
for the BIRD (blue) e-scooters the public is invited to call: 1-866-205-2442
with any concerns or questions
Email: [email protected]
website https://www.bird.co/
for the NEURON (orange) e-scooters the public is invited to call: 289-272-8997
Email: [email protected]
website https://www.rideneuron.com/
and also more information is available on the City's website here: https://www.oshawa.ca/.../tra.../e-scooters-and-e-bikes.aspx
UPDATE: a friend sent the following pictures from today, 4 days since the launch of the Oshawa shared-e-scooter program. It seems the Vendor's collection of the e-scooters and public understanding of the pilot program and where to PARK them need work.
Also, since people have asked me about liability, I've posted that in my opinion, no matter what waiver of liability, agreements, insurance policies state, issues can arise of how enforceable they are, and ultimately may be decided on a case by case basis in the Courts. Here are a couple articles that spell out the complex nature of the liability question:
The Canadian Bar Association: https://www.cba.org/Sections/Insurance-Law/Articles/2020/Rentals-of-e-scooters
and this one titled: The legal realities of e-scooters in our communities Giving the green light to electric scooters in Ontario: Questions of liability and the right to sue
www.stratfordtoday.ca/spotlight/are-e-scooters-an-accident-waiting-to-happen-5510191
Bird and Neuron are responsible for collecting and charging their shared e-scooters in Oshawa. These two companies have an agreement with the City (which is not costing the city any tax dollars) and are available to respond to inquiries as follows:
for the BIRD (blue) e-scooters the public is invited to call: 1-866-205-2442
with any concerns or questions
Email: [email protected]
website https://www.bird.co/
for the NEURON (orange) e-scooters the public is invited to call: 289-272-8997
Email: [email protected]
website https://www.rideneuron.com/
and also more information is available on the City's website here: https://www.oshawa.ca/.../tra.../e-scooters-and-e-bikes.aspx
UPDATE: a friend sent the following pictures from today, 4 days since the launch of the Oshawa shared-e-scooter program. It seems the Vendor's collection of the e-scooters and public understanding of the pilot program and where to PARK them need work.
Also, since people have asked me about liability, I've posted that in my opinion, no matter what waiver of liability, agreements, insurance policies state, issues can arise of how enforceable they are, and ultimately may be decided on a case by case basis in the Courts. Here are a couple articles that spell out the complex nature of the liability question:
The Canadian Bar Association: https://www.cba.org/Sections/Insurance-Law/Articles/2020/Rentals-of-e-scooters
and this one titled: The legal realities of e-scooters in our communities Giving the green light to electric scooters in Ontario: Questions of liability and the right to sue
www.stratfordtoday.ca/spotlight/are-e-scooters-an-accident-waiting-to-happen-5510191
