Mill Woods gets geofencing e-scooter pilot as city clamps down on parking and riding zones
Edmonton expands e-scooter service to Mill Woods with geofencing to control riding and parking zones.
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Edmonton is rolling out a safety pilot project in Mill Woods using geofencing technology to enforce designated riding and parking zones for shared e-scooters and e-bikes, marking the city's first effort to contain the devices beyond a single service area.
The expansion was announced Wednesday after strong community interest in the southeast neighbourhood. The city selected Mill Woods partly because of its connection to the active transportation network and partly to test new requirements in an area with narrower sidewalks and fewer boulevards than other neighbourhoods.
The pilot establishes designated riding areas aligned with the city's active transportation network—bike lanes and shared pathways. E-scooters and e-bikes are required to stay on Mill Woods Road or within 50 metres of recognized bike lanes and shared pathways. Geofencing, a virtual boundary system, will enforce these zones and monitor parking locations.
Riders who leave a scooter or e-bike outside a designated corral (parking area) will continue to be charged by the micromobility provider. Bird Canada and Lime Canada, the city's two approved operators, will manage the digital corral locations through their apps.
Jordana Kulchar, the city's supervisor of planning and permitting, said the project aims to "discourage riders from using sidewalks." Tyler Zeck, Bird Canada's western operations manager, said the restrictions won't greatly impact service quality. "This is a great blend between making sure the program is still accessible while also taking measures to reduce parking issues and other potential risks," Zeck said.
The pilot comes after Ward Dene Councillor Aaron Paquette put forward a motion in spring to enact changes to the city's Shared Microbility Program. Paquette cited accessibility concerns—e-scooters blocking walkways—as a key reason. "It's about time," he said Wednesday. Residents will adjust to the riding restrictions, he said, "but the upside is that it will make our communities look a little bit better."
How long will this pilot run before the city decides whether to expand geofencing to other neighbourhoods?
How much is the city spending on this geofencing technology, and who is covering the costs?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
At a glance
Where is Edmonton's new e-scooter pilot happening?
Mill Woods, a southeast Edmonton neighbourhood, is the location of the geofencing pilot project for shared e-scooters and e-bikes.
What are the riding restrictions in Mill Woods?
E-scooters and e-bikes in Mill Woods must stay on Mill Woods Road or within 50 metres of recognized bike lanes and shared pathways. Riding on sidewalks is discouraged through geofencing enforcement.
Who operates the e-scooter service in Edmonton?
Bird Canada and Lime Canada are the city's two approved micromobility operators managing the pilot project and digital corral locations through their apps.
