Seen an electric scooter on the road lately?

Avid Vancouver cyclist Chris Keam did quite recently, and he says one almost ran him off the road.

According to Keam, the arrival of these two-wheeled vehicles, mostly manufactured in China, poses a threat to self-propelled bike riders.

“They’re way heavier than a regular bicycle, so if you get hit with one you get all that mass and inertia happening, and they can also accelerate faster,” Keam told the Straight by phone.

He explained that these electric scooters come with pedals, which are usually taken off after purchase.

“The reason the pedals are on there is so they qualify as bicycles,” he said.

Keam noted that there are no regulations yet regarding the use of these electric scooters.

All he knows at this point is that it’s dangerous to mix them with regular bikes that aren’t going as fast and heavy.

“I honestly don’t know yet what the solution is but I know it’s a problem that’s waiting to happen,” Keam said.

Cyclists in Quebec have taken note of the same issue.

The cycling group Vélo Québec sent the Straight on July 7 the following statement:

Vélo Québec asks SAAQ [Quebec automobile insurance corporation] to ban electric scooters on bicycle paths

The proliferation of electric scooters, sometimes marketed under the name of electric bikes, is raising questions about the use of bicycle paths. At present, there are no clear rules specifying which vehicles are authorized to use bicycle paths in Quebec. Because of their weight, size, speed and capacity for acceleration, the arrival on the market of various types of scooters can represent a threat for cyclists. These vehicles should not be permitted on bicycle paths, but should rather be driven on the street with other motor vehicles.

Vélo Québec is requesting that the SAAQ issue a regulation banning electric scooters from bike lanes and bike paths. Vélo Québec stresses, however, that electric assist bicycles raise no problems, as human power is required to move the bike forward. The battery of the electric assist bike is only intended to amplify the movement of the crankset and provide limited assistance, while an electric scooter advances on the strength of its engine alone. The only purpose of pedals on such scooters is to respect regulations; they are ineffective in advancing the scooter.

Vélo Québec is also asking the SAAQ to make representations to Transport Canada to clearly categorize the various types of vehicles entering the market and to make sure users are aware of where they are authorized to drive.

Vélo Québec asks that all municipalities ensure that bike paths and bike lanes are used for active transportation only.