The City of Vernon is one of 12 BC communities that have been selected by the Provincial government to pilot and assess the use of e-scooters in our community over the course of three years. When the pilot program is complete, the Province will use what they have learned from the pilot communities to consider province-wide laws for e-scooters.
There are two parts to the E-scooter Pilot Program in Vernon:
People can ride their own e-scooters around Vernon (privately owned e-scooters).
The City of Vernon has contracted Neuron Mobility to operate an e-scooter share program (rental e-scooters).
What are e-scooters?
E-scooters are small electric vehicles with a standing platform and handlebars. They must meet criteria defined in the Motor Vehicle Act including limitations on how powerful their motor can be and how fast they go.
E-scooters are sometimes confused with other devices commonly called 'scooters', such as low speed motorcycles, mopeds, or motorized wheelchairs. These vehicles follow different rules and are not a part of this pilot program. You can learn more about the difference from ICBC.
Potential benefits
The e-scooter pilot program is intended to provide Vernon residents and visitors with a new and sustainable way to get around our community. This program has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, bolster our economy, and complement our public transit system.
Results from the pilot are an early indicator that the program has been successful in meeting its goals. Data collected by Neuron indicates that since the start of the program:
More than 215,000 trips were taken by Neuron e-scooters, traveling over 470,000 km in the operating area.
Riders indicated that 40% of e-scooter trips replaced car trips.
Over 29,500 people in Vernon signed up for the Neuron app.
50% of riders reported using e-scooters to commute.
Next steps and public feedback
The City is continuing to monitor the pilot program and is working with Neuron Mobility to make adjustments to how the rental program operates. City staff are monitoring ridership, conducting observational studies of rider behaviour, and tracking community feedback.
We also want to hear from you! Whether or not you have tried an e-scooter, we value your feedback through our E-Scooter Community Survey. Your answers will help us better understand how e-scooters are being used in our community and whether or not the pilot program is meeting our goals. The survey below will be open until June 15, 2023.
Introduction
The City of Vernon is one of 12 BC communities that have been selected by the Provincial government to pilot and assess the use of e-scooters in our community over the course of three years. When the pilot program is complete, the Province will use what they have learned from the pilot communities to consider province-wide laws for e-scooters.
There are two parts to the E-scooter Pilot Program in Vernon:
People can ride their own e-scooters around Vernon (privately owned e-scooters).
The City of Vernon has contracted Neuron Mobility to operate an e-scooter share program (rental e-scooters).
What are e-scooters?
E-scooters are small electric vehicles with a standing platform and handlebars. They must meet criteria defined in the Motor Vehicle Act including limitations on how powerful their motor can be and how fast they go.
E-scooters are sometimes confused with other devices commonly called 'scooters', such as low speed motorcycles, mopeds, or motorized wheelchairs. These vehicles follow different rules and are not a part of this pilot program. You can learn more about the difference from ICBC.
Potential benefits
The e-scooter pilot program is intended to provide Vernon residents and visitors with a new and sustainable way to get around our community. This program has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, bolster our economy, and complement our public transit system.
Results from the pilot are an early indicator that the program has been successful in meeting its goals. Data collected by Neuron indicates that since the start of the program:
More than 215,000 trips were taken by Neuron e-scooters, traveling over 470,000 km in the operating area.
Riders indicated that 40% of e-scooter trips replaced car trips.
Over 29,500 people in Vernon signed up for the Neuron app.
50% of riders reported using e-scooters to commute.
Next steps and public feedback
The City is continuing to monitor the pilot program and is working with Neuron Mobility to make adjustments to how the rental program operates. City staff are monitoring ridership, conducting observational studies of rider behaviour, and tracking community feedback.
We also want to hear from you! Whether or not you have tried an e-scooter, we value your feedback through our E-Scooter Community Survey. Your answers will help us better understand how e-scooters are being used in our community and whether or not the pilot program is meeting our goals. The survey below will be open until June 15, 2023.
The City of Vernon successfully applied to participate in the Province of British Columbia's Motor Vehicle Act Pilot Program.
Shared Scooter Service Launches (July 2021)
E-Scooter Pilot Program has finished this stage
Neuron Mobility was awarded a two-year contract to operate shared electric kick scooters and e-bikes in Vernon.
Program Monitoring (2021 & 2022)
E-Scooter Pilot Program has finished this stage
City staff are monitoring the program and working with Neuron Mobility to make changes based on public feedback. The City makes a report to the Province about the program each year.
Report to Council
E-Scooter Pilot Program has finished this stage
After two seasons of operation, staff will report to Council with recommendations on how to proceed for the third and final year of the pilot program.
Program Monitoring (2023)
E-Scooter Pilot Program is currently at this stage
City staff are monitoring the program and working with Neuron Mobility to make changes based on public feedback. The City makes a report to the Province about the program each year.
Provincial Pilot Program Ends (April 2024)
this is an upcoming stage for E-Scooter Pilot Program
Feedback and data collected from all 12 pilot communities will be used by the Provincial government to consider new province-wide regulations for electric kick scooters.
