Deep River will allow the use of e-scooters in town, albeit with a number of conditions, according to a recommendation on the agenda of this week’s meeting of town council.
The use of e-scooters is currently regulated by a provincial pilot program, set to expire in 2029.
The program stipulates that, unless a municipal bylaw permits it, the use of e-scooters is prohibited on public roadways, sidewalks, trails, paths and walkways.
And, since Deep River doesn’t have such a bylaw in place, their use is prohibited on those areas in town.
But a staff report to council earlier this year pointed out that the use of e-scooters in Deep River is becoming more prevalent.
“Permitting safe e-scooter use in Deep River would allow an additional form of active transportation, further reducing vehicle trips and related emissions,” the report stated
A proposed bylaw at the time would limit the use of e-scooters to municipal roadways, not including Deep River Road and Ridge Road, which are part of Renfrew County’s road network.
The bylaw would also have allowed e-scooters on trails and in parks, but not on sidewalks, as they are under the provincial pilot program.
A community survey undertaken during the summer showed a relatively even split, with 47 percent of respondents supporting e-scooter use in town, and 43 percent in opposition to the idea.
“Respondents raised significant concerns with the safety of both riders and other road users, and many respondents expressed little confidence that existing bylaws or other traffic rules are consistently being enforced,” the report on this week’s agenda states…
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