You can create an account with one of the City’s approved vendors, Bird Canada or Lime, and download their mobile app to locate and unlock an e-bike or e-scooter. You can then use the app to pay for the time that you use an e-bike or e-scooter on City bike lanes, shared paths and roadways.
Get answers to the most common questions regarding the e-bike and e-scooter share services that are in Edmonton.
Where can I find a vehicle?
E-scooters and e-bikes can be located using the related vendor’s mobile app. Also, the City has set up corrals in designated areas away from Main Streets, including Jasper Avenue, Whyte Avenue and 124 Street. You do not have to return equipment to the corral as all equipment will be tracked with GPS. You can find the location to the nearest corral using the DiscoverYEG map.
How do the locks work?
- All e-bikes and e-scooters have an internal electronic lock that can only be unlocked using the vendor’s mobile app
- They are not physically locked to a bike rack or enclosed in a cage
- Each vendor will have their own unlocking and payment system
Can I use an e-bike or e-scooter in a bike lane?
Yes, all shared e-bikes and e-scooters can be used in bike lanes, shared paths, shared streets and parkland. E-scooters are allowed on roads where the speed limit is 50 km/h or under.
E-scooters are not permitted on sidewalks, unimproved park trails, on roadways with the posted speed limit higher than 50 km/h, or on road lanes closed for patio expansion on Jasper Avenue, Whyte Avenue, or Old Strathcona.
Do I need to wear a helmet?
Under the province’s Traffic Safety Act, helmets must be worn*:
- When riding a power bicycle (equipped with an electric motor)
- When the person riding a bicycle is under the age of 18
- When a person is operating a motorcycle, moped or all-terrain vehicle
* See Rules & Regulations Applying to Small Vehicles, pages 5-12 for complete information on helmet use.
There are no current provisions through the Traffic Safety Act for e-scooter users. However, the City of Edmonton strongly recommends wearing a helmet when riding any active mode of transportation, including e-scooters.
Do I have to return the e-bike or e-scooter back where I found it?
No, you can leave the vehicle in a location that is convenient for you provided you park it properly following the guidelines provided by the vendor and on this webpage. Vendors have installed GPS tracking devices in their vehicles so they can locate, collect and redistribute their vehicles as needed.
How do I report an e-bike or e-scooter that is left on my property or is blocking the sidewalk?
- Contact the vendor directly to report an improperly parked or derelict vehicle
- Licensed vendors are required to report parking issues, known collisions, accidents, or injuries, and complaints regarding the vehicles to the City
There are too many shared e-bikes or e-scooters parked in one area, creating clutter. Who do I call about this?
Contact the vendor directly to report an improperly parked or derelict vehicle.
Why are e-scooters restricted to roads with speed limits of 50 km/h or less?
Roads with a speed limit higher than 50 km/h generally have more traffic and where the speed difference between e-scooters and automobiles is quite large. These conditions can make it very unsafe for people on e-scooters. However, most of Edmonton’s road system has speed limits that are 50 km/h or less, so people have plenty of choice in routes to take.
Are e-scooters required to have the same equipment as bicycles, such as bells?
Yes, as with bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters will be equipped with a working bell or horn to alert pedestrians before they are overtaken.
E-scooters will also be equipped with a hand brake and outfitted with the following protective items so they are suitable for road use, as per provincial regulations:
- One or two headlamps
- One or more red tail lamps
- One or more rear reflectors
Can privately owned e-bikes or e-scooters be used on city property, like in a bike lane or city park?
Private e-bikes are covered under the same provincial standards as bicycles so they can be used on City property. However, private e-scooters are not covered under provincial legislation. The province allowed the City of Edmonton an exemption for approved and licensed vendors to operate e-scooters through the active transportation vehicle sharing program. Use of privately owned e-scooters on City property is prohibited.
What is the difference between a regular bicycle, an e-bike and an e-scooter?
A regular bicycle requires you to pedal to make it move. An e-bike has a small electric motor that can provide some power to move through pedaling. An e-scooter can be moved by either kicking or turning on a small electric motor using a push button usually found on the handlebars.
Do I need to hold an operator’s licence to operate an e-bike?
No, an operator’s licence is not required.
What is the minimum driving age for an e-scooter or e-bike?
Riders must be aged 18 or older. A child cannot be a passenger.