The city wants to know what Londoners think about e-scooters
They're also collecting feedback on large cargo e-bikes
As a number of municipalities across the country adopt or pilot e-scooter programs, the City of London is asking residents for their input into using the self-propelled transportation.
E-scooters are powered by an electric motor that rolls on two wheels with the operator standing upright on a platform, and steering with handlebars. The scooters are currently not permitted on London roads, bike lanes, sidewalks or multi-use pathways.
The survey comes as part of a five-year pilot program offered by the province, which started in January 2020. The program is giving municipalities the chance to explore the potential of using e-scooters for commuting and reducing congestion on the roadways.
"E-scooters and large cargo e-bikes are becoming increasingly popular in cities across North America, and they offer another way for people to get around," said Allison Miller, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator at the City of London, in a statement.
"As we plan for how these transportation choices could be used in the future, we are hoping to hear from residents and businesses about their experience using them in other cities, and what input or concerns they might have."
A fleet of scooters would be brought into the city where riders could use a mobile app to rent them for a period of time, picking them up where available and parking them at their destination. In Ottawa, where a pilot program is currently underway, the cost to rent a scooter is $1.15 to unlock and $0.35 a minute thereafter, plus tax, according to the Bird app.
Windsor also has a similar program that launched in May.
Feedback wanted on large cargo e-bikes
Large cargo e-bikes are also being considered by the city as part of another five-year Ontario pilot program that started in March.
They're a bicycle fitted with a large platform to carry people or other items and use an electric power assist. These bikes differ from regular e-bikes, which are gaining in popularity and are allowed on city streets and pathways.
Pedal-powered cargo bikes are already allowed on city streets and are not part of the pilot program. The cargo e-bikes would allow for operators to travel greater distances for longer periods of time.
Londoners can give their feedback on e-scooters here, and on large cargo e-bikes here.