Alberta mulls letting MLAs expense e-scooter and bike rides
A bipartisan legislative committee is exploring whether taxpayers should cover work-related trips on e-scooters and e-bikes, despite safety concerns.
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Alberta lawmakers are considering whether to add e-scooter and e-bike trips to the list of reimbursable work expenses for politicians and their staff.
Currently, elected officials and caucus staff can claim taxi rides, car rentals, and some airfare for work travel. A bipartisan committee of MLAs is now studying whether to extend that to rides from companies like Lime and Bird Canada.
A report presented to the committee advised against the move because of safety and insurance concerns. Companies generally require riders to assume risk, which could leave politicians and staff without coverage if they were injured.
United Conservative backbencher Nolan Dyck, a committee member, argues the option is worth exploring since e-scooters and e-bikes are quick and cheap — especially useful in Alberta's larger cities. The committee passed a motion directing legislative assembly staff to see if companies would waive or modify their standard liability terms as part of a potential agreement.
Bird Canada says it already has corporate agreements with various businesses and institutions and is excited to discuss a program for the legislature.