Scooter companies making major push on safety in Kelowna

Kelowna's e-scooter rollout has gone anything but smoothly, but with another review of the program by city council looming on June 28, Lime Canada is making a big push to change perceptions of those opposed to the machines on city streets.

With an average of 1,700 riders a day in our city, it's clear they’re a popular method of transportation. Lime Canada took Castanet on tour Friday to show off its new street team that repositions misplaced scooters and other safety initiatives.

Lime Canada operations manager Kyle Erickson says the recent event they held in Stuart Park was a "great start" to improving rider safety.

"We've got more planned on the horizon, and the goal is awareness, so we’re out here canvassing and I know the other companies are looking to do the same, so we’re just trying to work together to keep everyone safe,” said Erickson.

The e-scooters have recently received criticism from Kelowna General Hospital chief of orthopedic surgery, Steven Krywulak, after he called the scooters “fracture machines.” Erickson says the company has some strong statistics to back up their safety.

“Right now we're at 99.35 per cent of all ride reports being injury free at Lime, which is great news. Right now we’re doing everything we can to reduce injuries. We start with properly maintenancing the scooters, we have our team out here providing education as well which is super important, because it starts from the bottom, right?”

Maintaining a strong relationship with the city is also something Erickson says he values. “Right now we’re just trying to make sure that the city has access to everything that it needs and that we’re working together. Like I said, obviously the safety concern is the highest priority, and we as a company we would love to stay here in Kelowna. I think in order to do that, we need everyone on board,” said Erickson.

Kelowna’s mayor Colin Basran is hoping that some of the changes made by the scooter companies will erase some of the issues surrounding them.

"I think the operators are making some necessary changes working with our staff. But, at the end of the day, again you can't regulate human behaviour, so I'm asking those who rent these to be a little more respectful and mindful of what the laws are,” said Basran.

City council will discuss the future of the program again on June 28.