Scooters: Accessibility in the Era of Electric Mobility

City streets, sidewalks and pathways are becoming a bit more crowded these days.  With the growing availability and variety of electric mobility options there are more people competing for the same space to get around.  How we move about cities is changing rapidly not only technology but also rapidly shifting work patterns.   At the same time regulation is lagging to keep up in managing the use of different mobility options leaving sometimes conflicting understandings of what can be used where and who has the right of way?
 
Here we will dive into the rapidly growing use of a variety of electric mobility vehicles beyond the automobile and typical transit systems. 
 
First off there are many forms of scooters and electric or e-mobility devices.  From e-bikes, electric standing scooters to riding scooters that can sometimes more resemble small motorbikes and now electric unicycles.   Some of these options can move at speeds up to 60km per hour!  Crash helmets sold separately.  Rules for each vary by the type of vehicle and the jurisdiction where it is used.   Some are permitted to use sidewalk spaces while other are limited to road use only.  Others are not yet be approved for use but uptake is ahead of government approval.  Many municipalities are stuggling with questions of regulation such as in the City of Fredericton.  How would bylaw officers chase after an electric unicycle?

Stand up scooters have become more common as sharing services become avaialble.

The unicycle has returned now with power offering range and agility.

Powered wheelchairs or mobility scooters are more common and elaborate than ever.

Small mopeds or elect motorcycles are often referred to as scooters.

This growing variety of uses, undefined or unacknowledged rules of where they can travel can create particular challenges to accessibility.  First, for the pedestrian on the street who may feel unaware of these other mobility devices.  They may feel threatened by sharing spaces with high-speed vehicles moving in unpredictable ways within pedestrian space.   Will the person on the electric mobility vehicle have enough time or mindfulness to avoid the person with a white cane, walker or stroller?  Even when unattended obstacles may be created by these vehicles being left in inappropriate places. 
 
Second the ability of people with accessibility needs to access these forms of mobility for their own use.  Some of these vehicles are available on the market and thus available to anyone for purchase.  Others are part of sharing systems supported by municipalities such as they City of Calgary, local non-profits or private business.  Sharing systems are typically accessed through application based systems on person mobile devices so those apps need to be up to current accessibility standards with features live dictation, voice control and high contrast options.  Use of these devices in low traffic areas would further accommodate people who want to participate but may be uncomfortable on busy streets.  This later point of course is a tricky balance between creating safe spaces for the electric vehicle user, pedestrians and other uses. 
 
There are a variety of options to help improve the experience and safety of all users that city planners, regulators and community activists can promote:

• Consider docking staycations or geo-fenced areas for parking of vehicles.  This will prevent them from becoming obstacles in unwanted areas. 
• Implement speed limiters on the vehicles when traveling in restricted areas to deter their use in high pedestrian traffic areas or minimize conflicts. 
• Get ahead of regulation with education.  Engage schools, workplaces and businesses that sell e-mobility devices. Consider public pop ups to provide information and training on proper use of different vehicles, even if they are not yet approved. 
• Encourage all e-mobility devices to use cycling infrastructure.  Providing them with more efficient options to travel will help keep them off sidewalks and competing with vulnerable users.   Ensure maintenance of this infrastructure is up to standards for these mobility devices with smaller wheel-bases.
• Combine education campaigns and enforcement to establish a culture of priority users.  Recognize pedestrians as the priority and most vulnerable user of a space.