Port Moody rolls out e-scooter and e-bike sharing program ahead of Car-Free Day

Port Moody residents and visitors will soon be able to cruise through the city on shared electric scooters and bicycles, as the city officially launches its new two-year micromobility program this August.

Timed to coincide with Port Moody’s Car-Free Day celebration on August 17, the program will see 46 designated parking locations installed across the city, providing most residents with access to a shared e-bike or e-scooter within a five- to 10-minute walk from their homes.

“E-scooter and e-bike sharing in Port Moody will make it easier for people to access active travel modes that are more affordable and better for the planet,” said Mayor Meghan Lahti. “This new program, with its focus on alternative methods of transportation, will strengthen connections between neighbourhoods and improve access and convenience for riders.”

Port Moody signed on to the province’s Electric Kick Scooter Pilot program in June 2024, joining 21 other municipalities in making e-scooters officially street legal.  

The rollout later this month is aimed at improving local access to zero-emission active transportation options, and supporting goals outlined in several of the city’s guiding documents, including the Climate Action Plan, Master Transportation Plan, Council Strategic Plan, and Tri-Cities Zero Emission Mobility Plan.

In Port Moody, e-scooters may operate on roads with speed limits of 50 kilometres per hour or lower, or in designated bike lanes on faster streets. Riders must wear helmets at all times.

The program requires all vehicles to be parked in designated locations, using geofencing and AI technology to ensure parking compliance and reduce sidewalk clutter. Riders who attempt to end their trips outside these zones will receive app alerts and be directed to the nearest available location. Improperly parked scooters or bikes may result in warnings or penalties.

The parking zones will be concentrated near bus stops, parks, and key civic facilities, with the aim of connecting users to transit hubs and popular destinations throughout the city.

Lime, the contracted service provider, will be responsible for maintenance, parking management, and the relocation or removal of vehicles when necessary. 

The devices will be capped at a maximum speed of 25 kilometres per hour, with automatic slow-down zones near trails, parks, community centres, and pedestrian overpasses, where the speed limit will drop to 15 kilometres per hour.

Lahti added that Car-Free Day on St. Johns Street presents an ideal opportunity for residents to try out the new vehicles. “I encourage you to hop on an e-scooter or e-bike and join the celebration!” she said.

For more information on how to get started including safety regulations, residents can visit portmoody.ca/escooters-ebikes. The Lime app is available for download on both iOS and Android devices. [Editor’s note: The link does not include a map of parking zones.]