New pilot project would soon see e-scooters zipping around Brampton
Published June 11, 2021 at 7:22 pm
A Toronto company called Roll is hoping to bring pay-as-you-go e-scooters to Brampton.
Arda Ertürk, Roll’s CCO, outlined his proposed pilot project to Brampton councillors at Wednesday’s committee of council meeting.
The project would see between 300 and 500 e-scooters distributed around the city that residents could use to make short trips.
It costs $1 to unlock the scooter, then 35 cents/minute for travel. Ertürk emphasized there are also options for low-income earners.
“We have equity programs for those who qualify, offering up to 50 per cent discounts,” he explained.
In addition, there are a number of payment options.
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“We offer a day-pass for $17.99. In addition, for people who might not have access to a credit or debit card, they can purchase prepaid Roll Cards that would allow access.”
Ertürk said the company has run pilot programs in Kelowna, Calgary and Ottawa, among others, and has been talking with City officials for a couple of months.
“We hope to bring the program to Brampton as early as this summer.”
Safety is a primary concern for the company. Helmets would be mandatory for riders aged 16 and 17 and strongly encouraged for 18-plus. There would be a speed restriction of about 15 km/h on a rider’s first trip, about five km/h lower than normal rides.
E-scooters are generally treated as bikes when it comes to local bylaws. Their use would be restricted to bikelanes and roads with a posted speed limit of no more than 50 km/h.
“There are very, very few injuries with e-scooters,” Ertürk told councillors. “And those that do happen tend to be much less severe than those suffered on bikes.”
Users would have to download an app on their mobile phone to access the e-scooters. The app would help them find available units to rent. It would also be used to scan a QR code.
“We wouldn’t just put the e-scooters n the downtown core. We want them spread out around the city and available in more residential areas.”
Roll will continue to work with city staff on bringing the project to fruition.
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