Alberta prepares e-scooter legislation as injury rates spike in Edmonton
The province is moving toward regulations that would let cities allow personal e-scooters legally, after Edmonton saw nearly 1,200 emergency visits for scooter injuries last year.
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Alberta's government is moving toward legislation this fall that would let municipalities legally allow e-scooters and similar personal micromobility devices — a shift that comes as injuries from the vehicles have soared.
The Transportation and Economic Corridors Ministry is seeking to amend the Traffic Safety Act to "support the safe and consistent use of personal micromobility devices, such as e-scooters and similar small devices, where municipalities enforce and choose to allow them." Currently, individual ownership of e-scooters is illegal without a provincial exemption.
Edmonton accounted for a significant portion of Alberta emergency-room and urgent-care visits for e-scooter injuries in the most recent reporting year, up from the year before. Across the province, e-scooter emergency visits rose year-over-year.
Premier Danielle Smith discussed the issue on her radio program last Saturday, saying "a whole package is coming forward" but that the government has not yet reviewed cabinet recommendations. The province wants universal rules so each municipality doesn't regulate separately, she said.
The framework could address age minimums, speed limits, and rules around where vehicles can be driven. Edmonton has governed e-scooters within its shared micromobility program, with approved vendors providing riding information and enforcement handled by police and city peace officers.
The 2019 Traffic Safety Act adjustment allowed Calgary and Edmonton to launch pilot programs with operators like Lime. As HOC reported in August, Edmonton council was already weighing additional rule changes for e-scooters and e-bikes amid safety concerns. The government has not yet confirmed a specific timeline for legislation beyond "this fall" or detailed which framework options it is considering.
Will the legislation set provincial speed limits, and if so, at what speed?
What age minimum is the government considering for riders?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How many emergency visits for e-scooter injuries did Edmonton record?
Edmonton accounted for a significant portion of Alberta's e-scooter injury emergency visits in the most recent reporting year, with nearly 1,200 visits total across the province.
What does Alberta's proposed legislation aim to do?
The Transportation and Economic Corridors Ministry is seeking to amend the Traffic Safety Act to allow municipalities to legally permit e-scooters and similar personal micromobility devices, with universal provincial rules rather than separate municipal regulations.
What does the framework potentially address?
The framework could address age minimums, speed limits, and rules around where e-scooters can be driven.
