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LETTER: Why does Town of Okotoks promote use of electric scooters?

Driver concerned that e-scooters will once again be driven recklessly, erratically and in a very unsafe manner. 
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Bird e-scooters await riders next to the Olde Towne Okotoks clock on May 11, 2022. (Brent Calver/Western Wheel File Photo)

Dear Editor, 

As summer slowly approaches, I have once again noticed the electric scooters placed around town available for anyone to rent. 

Last year, as a person driving the roads frequently, I noticed many times these scooters driven recklessly, erratically and in a very unsafe manner. 

I have seen them raced down the streets taking up both lanes, blowing controlled intersections and raced down the sidewalks with no consideration given to pedestrians. I have turned a corner in my car and had a family of five (two adults and three children) driving in my lane towards me, forcing me to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting them. 

Most importantly, I never see helmets worn, yet Alberta has strict bicycle and motorcycle helmet laws. 

Reading the Alberta Rules & Regulations Applying to Small Vehicles, page 20, it describes an electric scooter as a prohibited vehicle, stating: “These vehicles are motor vehicles, as defined in the Traffic Safety Act; however, they also meet the definition of ‘miniature vehicles’ which are not permitted on a highway in Alberta, including sidewalks alongside the roadway. While many of these motorized vehicles will be used in a pedestrian-like manner, the operators of these vehicles do not meet the legal definition of ‘pedestrian’ … they may only be operated on private property.” 

One question I have: How does the Town of Okotoks promote the use of these vehicles, by anyone, any age, at any time, without helmets, driving wherever they want, whenever they want, in violation of the Alberta Rules and Regulations Applying to Small Vehicles and many times in violation of the Alberta Traffic Act? The other question is: Why does the RCMP allow this? 

After what I witnessed last year, it is only a matter of time before someone is killed on one of these electric scooters. 

Sean Smith 

High River 

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