Richmond RCMP highlights enhanced e-scooter education

Richmond

2024-04-04 08:55 PDT

As the City of Richmond continues its participation in BC’s Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project, Richmond RCMP is highlighting the ongoing efforts of our Road Safety Unit (RSU) to educate the public on the safe and lawful use of electronic kick scooters (e-scooters) in Richmond.

As part of our commitment to public safety, our e-scooter initiatives include proactive patrols and public awareness campaigns aimed at enhancing the safety of all road users.

Our RSU, Bike Patrol Unit, and community volunteers are actively involved in community outreach related to e-scooters and providing information on the lawful and safe use of e-scooters, in line with British Columbia’s Motor Vehicle Act and local bylaws.

In 2023, Richmond RCMP also released a safety video to promote e-scooter safety education to a broader audience.

Transcription

In this video Richmond RCMP review the rules and regulations to ensure safe e-scooter operation in the City of Richmond, for all users of the road and shared paved pathways.

DV: A shared pathway sign is displayed as the screen pans to a Richmond RMCP police officer wearing a helmet riding an e-scooter along the boardwalk and then stops to talk.
V: The officer says, Electric scooters are an exciting new mode of transportation. But do you know the rules and regulations?

DV: Scene changes to a close up of the officer continuing to speak into the camera, while standing on an e-scooter on the boardwalk.
V: The officer says, When riding electric scooters…

DV: An image of a dedicated cycling lane appears in a split frame, on the left of the screen.
V: The officer continues to speak saying, make sure to use dedicated cycling lanes,

DV: An image of a paved shared pathway appears in a split frame, on the right of the screen.
V: The officer continues to speak saying, paved shared pathways,

DV: An image of the shoulder of a road appears in a split frame, in the middle of the screen.
V: The officer continues to speak saying, or the shoulder, when applicable,

DV: Scene changes to the officer continuing to speak into the camera, while standing on an e-scooter on the boardwalk.
V: The officer continues to speak saying, and never,

DV: An image of a sidewalk appears in a split frame, on the left of the screen.
V: The officer continues to speak saying, ride on the sidewalks

DV: An image of an unpaved trail appears in a split frame, to the right of the screen.
V: The officer continues to speak saying, or on unpaved trails.

DV: Scene changes to the officer continuing to speak into the camera, while standing on an e-scooter on the boardwalk without a helmet, he points to his head and a helmet appears on it.
V: The officer says, Always wear a helmet.

DV: Scene dissolves to the officer continuing to speak into the camera, while standing on an e-scooter on the boardwalk.
A: Music continues playing faintly in the background.
V: The officer says, When riding, the maximum speed is

DV: An image of a dedicated cycling lane appears in a split frame, on the left of the screen, and a maximum 20 km/hr speed limit sign appears in the top left corner of the frame.
V: The officer continues to speak saying, 20 kilometres per hour on roadways and dedicated cycling lanes,

DV: An image of a shared pathway appears in a split frame, on the right of the screen, and a maximum 15 km/hr speed limit sign appears in the top left corner of the frame.
V: The officer continues to speak saying, and only 15 kilometres per hour on paved shared pathways.

DV: The officer on an e-scooter waits at an intersection on the left side of the screen as two pedestrians, a man and a woman, walk across the intersection from the right of the screen. The man raises his right hand in a gesture as they get closer to the officer.

DV: The screen angle changes to a close up behind the officer’s shoulder as the two pedestrians pass by and both gesture with their right hand.
A: Music continues playing faintly in the background.

DV: Scene changes to the officer continuing to speak into the camera, while standing on an e-scooter in the intersection.
V: The officer says, And yield to pedestrians.

DV: Scene dissolves to a male teenager on the side of the road waiving to the officer.
V: The teenager shouts, Hey! Can I ride on the back?

DV: The scene changes to the right side of the teenager, looking at the officer standing on the e-scooter in the intersection.
V: The officer responds, Sorry. Only one person is allowed at a time.

DV: The scene changes to the teenager at the side of the road, with the officer’s head and helmet to the right.
V: The officer continues to speak, saying, No passengers.

DV: The scene changes to the right side of the teenager, and we see the officer standing on an e-scooter in the intersection as he rides away.

DV: We see the officer with his helmet riding the e-scooter down the right side of the road and then stopping in front of the camera to speak, before riding away..
V: The officer speaks, saying, And you must be at least 16 years old to operate an e-scooter.

DV: We see the officer in a helmet riding in on the e-scooter from the right of the screen, in front of Richmond RCMP Detachment, with the words Richmond RCMP/GRC and the RCMP crest on the building in the background.
A: Music fades to silence.
V: The officer speaks, saying, Richmond RCMP will continue to be out there doing education and enforcement to help keep the public safe.

DV: The scene changes to a closer perspective of the officer on the e-scooter in front of Richmond RCMP Detachment.
V: The officer speaks, saying, Have fun on your e-scooter, please ride safe, and responsibly.
Transcript

Provincial rules governing e-scooter operation include:

Minimum 16 years of age
Approved cycle helmet
Single use only: you must not carry or tow any passengers or devices.
Use turn signals
It is illegal to operate an e-scooter while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or while using an electronic device.
Slow down around pedestrians: you must not travel at a faster speed than pedestrians if you are on a walkway or path, except to pass, which requires sounding a bell or horn.
Failing to follow the rules can result in penalties and fines up to $2,000.00. To learn more about e-scooter regulations visit the BC Government website.

In the City of Richmond, e-scooters are permitted to operate as follows:

All streets with designated cycle lanes
Local streets with a maximum speed limit of 50 km or less.
Paved pathways designated for shared cycle use with pedestrians.

E-scooters are not permitted on sidewalks or on unpaved trails. Maximum speeds are:

20 km/h on roadways
15km/h on paved pathways shared with pedestrians.

Fines for bylaw infractions range from $95.00 to $175.00.

To learn more, visit the City of Richmond website.

Municipal bylaws for e-scooters may vary between jurisdictions. It is important to familiarize yourself with the bylaws of the community in which you are riding.

To further our safety and outreach efforts, we will be partnering with the City of Richmond and ICBC for an upcoming Skills and Safety Clinic on June 1 at the Lansdowne Centre northwest parking lot from 10 am – 2 pm. The clinic is designed to offer hands-on learning experiences for e-scooter enthusiasts and newcomers alike, focusing on skill development, safe riding practices, and legal requirements.

For more details about upcoming community safety events in Richmond, please download the City of Richmond’s Community Safety App.

To report unsafe riding behaviour, call the Richmond RCMP non-emergency telephone number at 604-278-1212, or via online crime reporting.

Released by:

Richmond RCMP
11411 No 5 Road, Richmond, BC, V7A 4E8
Office: 604-207-5189
Fax: 604-207-4716

Email: richmond_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: richmond.rcmp.ca

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