(Today’s Northumberland file photo)
By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Cobourg council can expect a report back before spring on the use of e-scooters in town.
This motion came at Wednesday’s meeting following a presentation from Mark Richardson, author of an Aug. 25 article int he Globe and Mail titled, “We need real rules for e-scooters, not municipal indifference.”
The point is, Richardson said, there are no rules. His hope was to persuade the town to participate in a provincial pilot project that runs through 2029, in which municipalities govern these devices and share their experiences in an effort to help the province formulate its own policy with regard to age, speed and safety parameters.
At present, he said, “anybody can buy one and, as such, riders – mainly children – have been injured and killed at alarmingly escalating rates.
“It’s the wild west on our streets and our sidewalks.”
At present, he noted, “there’s a blanket ban on e-scooters of any type by anyone anywhere other than private property. Cobourg Police have the authority to stop anyone on an e-scooter and fine them.”
What happens far more frequently is that there is no enforcement – on how many riders per e-scooter, on whether or not a helmet is worn, on what speed they travel, on whether they operate on sidewalks or roads.
“We want our police to stop helmetless children giving high-speed rides to friends on the sidewalk, but not responsible operators. Our police need clear direction from council.”
Especially at a time when more people are exploring this alternative, he noted.
“Like it or not, electric mobility is here to stay. Take the lead as a small town, and implement the provincially recommended pilot program,” he pleaded.
“I believe strongly that now is the time to recognize reality, to lead the way for other municipalities, and ensure we can move safely and efficiently into the mobility future.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Councillor Adam Bureau said.
“I see them all over, some even going 80 km/hr.”
“It’s already happening – we might as well get in front of it and create the legal parameters for enforcement,” Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty agreed.
Mayor Lucas Cleveland, an e-scooter owner, said he could not support being part of the pilot project – and disliked the philosophy that, just because people are breaking the law, you change the law.
“We have a limited police service, a limited town budget, a limited number of priorities,” Cleveland said.
Bureau made the motion to refer Richardson’s presentation to staff for a report back, but Councillor Brian Darling amended it to call for a staff report back prior to spring. The amended motion passed.
