Surrey councillor calls for provincewide e-scooter regulations

Surrey Coun. Rob Stutt is calling on the provincial government to develop a comprehensive plan to regulate e-scooters across B.C. At the Sept. 21 council meeting, he said safety concerns involving electric scooters are “considerable” and need to be addressed.

Stutt asked city staff to draft a letter for the mayor to send to the provincial government, seeking a “clear, consistent regulatory framework” for e-scooter use throughout B.C. He noted that e-scooters are not currently permitted on Surrey’s public roads or sidewalks, but are increasingly being used in the community.

Rather than simply prohibiting their use, Stutt said municipalities need provincial tools and regulations to manage scooters safely and consistently. He wants a standardized policy addressing where e-scooters can operate, safety requirements, enforcement, speed limits, equipment standards and insurance, while keeping public safety at the forefront.