Electric Scooters (E-scooters)
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E-scooters are a transportation option for residents and visitors to get around the city for leisure or to get to their destination. Building on lessons learned from other Canadian cities, the City has built a framework for shared electric scooters that works for our residents and visitors.
Shared e-scooter program status
The City of Saskatoon is pleased to announce that Bird and Neuron have been selected as the successful vendors to provide shared e-scooters in Saskatoon.
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E-scooter vendors
Bird and Neuron were chosen to provide residents and visitors with an affordable, convenient and sustainable transportation option. These two vendors will operate up to 500 shared e-scooters during spring to fall each year.
Bird and Neuron are leading providers of shared e-scooters, operating in multiple cities across North America and Australia. Both companies provide affordable and sustainable transportation options to communities worldwide.
| Download Bird | Download Neuron |
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Guidelines for e-scooters
Where are e-scooters allowed?
Shared e-scooters must operate within the approved service area (found on the vendors app) on shared-use paths (including sidewalks of bridges ), cycle tracks, protected bike lanes and - where no such paths are available - may ride on streets with posted speed limits of 50 km/h or lower. Personal e-scooters are not currently allowed on any City street, sidewalk or pathway.
- Allowed on roadway only if sidewalk does not exist.
- People under the age of 14 can be on the sidewalk.
- If speed limit is 50 km/h or less and no shared-use path, pathway, cycle track or protected bike lane exists.
Where are e-scooters NOT allowed?
Shared e-scooters will not be allowed on/in:
- Sidewalks
- Road where the posted speed limit is greater than 50 km/h, as required by provincial regulations
- Saskatoon Transit vehicles, bus mall, bus zones
- Civic Square
- Public recreation amenities, such as skate parks and spray parks
- City parkades
- Buildings
Provincial regulations for e-scooters
As of September 22, 2022, a new provincial regulatory framework allows municipalities to pass their own bylaws to authorize where and when e-scooters can be used in the community.
The Limited Speed Motor Vehicle Regulations, 2022, will govern the use of motorized vehicles with a maximum speed of 32 km/h, and are safety focused, stipulating:
- E-scooters can only be permitted on the road where the posted speed limit is 50 km/h or less and where there is no shared-use path, pathway, cycle track or protected bike lane;
- E-scooters cannot be operated at a speed greater than 24 km/h;
- A minimum operator age of 16 years or older;
- An outline of the required standards and safety equipment – Riders are required to wear helmets; and
- Municipalities and provincial and national parks have the authority to create bylaws around the use of e-scooters.
Where can e-scooters park?
In a designated e-scooter parking area
- These may be either marked only in the vendor app or both marked in the vendor app and physically marked with a mat.
Wherever a vehicle may be legally parked, except:
- In a time-restricted parking area, such as a paid parking or 2-hour parking zone
- City parkades
- In a furniture zone
- Within 10 metres of an intersection where the e-scooter is parked immediately adjacent to a time restricted parking area
Where is parking NOT allowed for e-scooters?
- Bus terminals, bus stops or taxicab stands
- Loading zones
- Areas marked for persons with disabilities
- Bridges
- Center median islands
- Pathways
- Within 1 metre of anything requiring pedestrian or vehicular access, including - fire hydrants, benches, bus shelters, parking pay stations, crosswalks, pathways, pedestrian push buttons, and wheelchair, bicycle or curb ramps
- In such a way that they:
- Impede the movement of motor vehicles or pedestrians
- May cause damage or pose a hazard to pedestrians or property
- Are not standing self-supported and upright on all wheels
- Are in contact with, or may damage, a tree
Penalty for inconsiderate rider behaviour
A person guilty of a breach of any of the provisions of Bylaw No. 7200 – The Traffic Bylaw shall be liable to a penalty of $50. Breach of the bylaw can be reported to Saskatoon Police Services at 306-975-8300.
Bylaw penalties address safety concerns and deter inconsiderate shared e-scooter vendor and/or rider behaviour, such as
- Operating an e-scooter that is not owned by a business with a permit to provide e-scooter rentals
- Improper operation of an e-scooter
- Improper parking of an e-scooter
- Parking an e-scooter for longer than 48 hours
- Failure to comply with temporary e-scooter parking or operating restrictions
Is it against the law to drink and ride a shared e-scooter?
Operating a shared e-scooter, while you are impaired by alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two, is a punishable offence to the full extent of Canadian law. Users are encouraged to review the full terms and conditions of use by each permitted e-scooter operator.
In case of an accident between a motor vehicle and an e-scooter, how does insurance work?
As the e-scooter operator doesn’t have insurance, if they’re responsible for the collision with a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle’s registered owner would be responsible for their own deductible. SGI would then attempt to recover the deductible from the e-scooter operator or potentially the owner of the e-scooter.
If the vehicle operator is responsible, the vehicle’s licence plate insurance would pay for the damage to the e-scooter and the vehicle deductible. The e-scooter damage would be assessed at the actual cash value, and SGI would work with the vendor to determine the value.
For additional information, contact SGI’s Customer Service Centre at 1-844-TLK-2SGI (1-844-855-2744).