Shared Micromobility (e-Bikes and e-Scooters) program
Shared e-Scooters and e-Bikes are a great way to get to make your way throughout the city. The City of Calgary has issued permits to two companies to provide access to these safe, sustainable methods of transportation.
Neuron shared e-Scooter
Neuron Shared e-Bike
Bird shared e-Scooter
Bird shared e-bike
You can ride a shared e-Scooter city-wide on bicycle lanes, pathways, empty sidewalks and roadways with lower speed limits and lower traffic volumes (like 13 Avenue S.W.). You can also ride in the temporary adaptive lanes that are set up around Calgary. E-Scooters are not permitted on busier roadways like Macleod Trail.
Shared e-Bikes are permitted everywhere regular bikes can be used, and must follow the same rules that apply to bikes. See Cycling bylaws and safety tips for details.
Get started by reviewing the information below and downloading the shared e-Scooter/e-Bike apps from our permitted operators.
Benefits of shared micromobility programs
Data from other North America cities have demonstrated a wide range of benefits of shared micromobility programs including:
- Filling in the gap for the vital first/last mile by encouraging people to walk, cycle and take public transit more often.
- Saving time on short trips.
- Providing access to various transportation options for all demographics.
- Improving people's physical health by providing transportation options that encourage citizens to be more physically active.
e-Scooters, e-Bikes and public safety
It’s important to remember getting around Calgary safely is a shared responsibility so before you hop out for a first ride, make sure you become familiar with how to scoot and ride safely in Calgary. Review the tips below for staying safe while operating a shared e-Scooter or e-Bike.
- Shared e-Scooters and e-Bikes are NOT cleaned after every use. Please wash your hands with soap and water before and after using a shared device. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available.
- Wipe down the shared e-Scooter or e-Bike with a pre-moistened disinfectant wipe before and after use. Please bring your own wipes.
- Avoid touching your face when using a shared e-Scooter or e-Bike.
- Only one rider at a time is permitted (no ‘doubling’).
- While riding a shared e-Scooter or e-Bike, be safe, slow down, and leave space when passing other people.
Click to enlarge image
Fines for inconsiderate rider behaviour
Bylaw Fines address safety concerns and deter inconsiderate shared e-Scooter or e-Bike rider behaviour.
Fines include:
- A $400 fine for operating a shared e-Scooter or e-Bike in a reckless manner.
- A $400 fine for colliding with another user of the sidewalk or street.
- A $75 fine for carrying a passenger on a shared e-Scooter or e-Bike.
All fines related to e-Scooters can be found in The City of Calgary Traffic Bylaw 26M96 or the Bylaws related to Parks and Pathways.
Fines for improperly parked e-Scooters or e-Bikes
Company fines - E-Scooter/e-Bike permit operators can implement fines for those users who improperly park their shared e-Scooter or e-Bike once they have completed their ride (e.g. in the middle of the sidewalk). Every device has a unique ID that’s clearly marked, and you can report improperly parked devices by contacting the e-Scooter or e-Bike operator directly with a photo of the device’s ID and location.
For those with visual impairment, each shared device has a raised letter sticker with contact information of the operator.
| Company name | Device Colour | Website | Contact info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bird Canada | Silver |
1-866-205-2442 |
|
| Neuron Canada Inc. | Orange |
1-866-995-8770 |
Additional guidelines for shared e-Bikes
Shared e-Bikes must also follow the same rules that apply to all bikes, as outlined in the Traffic Safety Act. See Cycling bylaws and safety tips for details.
Slow Speed Zones
Slow speed zones for e-Scooter and e-Bike riders are in areas where there is a higher concentration of sidewalk users. The maximum speeds of a shared e-Scooter or e-Bike will be automatically reduced to a maximum of 15 km/h, (down from a max. of 20 km/h). These slow speed zones are located on 4 Street S.W. in Mission, 9 Avenue S.E. in Inglewood, 8 Avenue S.W. in the downtown core and along 10 Street N.W. and Kensington Road in Kensington.
Shared e-Scooter and e-Bike riders can avoid slower speed zones on sidewalks by using the many bike lanes, cycle tracks and pathway networks to get to their destination. Please also remember to stay off the pedestrian path and walk only zone along the Bow River pathway. Use the bike path and signed detours instead.
Etiquette for operating a shared micromobility device
- Pedestrians first- Always yield to people walking on sidewalks.
- Be considerate- Use your bell to alert others when passing on the sidewalk, pathway or in an exclusive bicycle lane.
- Ride safely- Shared e-Scooters and e-Bikes are available to riders aged 18+. Helmets are encouraged but not required. Maximum speed limit is 20 km / hr. Only one rider per device is allowed.
- Park responsibly- Park in a secure, upright position in designated areas, such as furniture zones of sidewalks, public bike racks in the new share & go parking zones and other marked parking zones. On sidewalks without furniture zones, give at least 2 metres of clearance for accessibility.
- Right and report- If you see a shared device toppled over or parked improperly, you can help out by righting the shared device or reporting the issue to the permitted operator. Contact info for each company is provided on each shared e-Scooter or e-Bike. There is a highly visible unique identification number on the body of each device. When reporting, please provide the colour of the device along with the unique identification number to assist us in addressing any concerns. People with visual impairment can use the information provided on the raised letter label to contact the right operator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rules for riding a shared e-Scooter
Where can I ride?
Shared e-Scooters are permitted to operate on The City’s bicycle lanes and pathways and quiet sidewalks. They are permitted to ride on quiet roads with lower volume of traffic, such as 13 Avenue S.W. At this time, scooter riders can also ride in the temporary adaptive lanes that are set-up around Calgary.
Calgary features a variety of designated cycling spaces in the downtown area, as well as over 900km of paved pathways where you can scoot around safely. To help plan your next ride, download the Calgary Centre City Cycling Map.
As per Bylaw 26M96, including but not limited to section 44(1) (3), shared e-Scooters are not allowed to ride on busy roadways such as Macleod Trail, or busy sidewalks. As a rule, please do not interfere with pedestrians or traffic while riding a shared e-Scooter.
Can I ride a shared e-Scooter on the pedestrian path and walk only zone along the Bow River?
No, you cannot ride here. Please remember to stay off the pedestrian path and walk only zone along the Bow River pathway. Use the bike path or follow the signed detours instead.
How old do you have to be to ride a shared e-Scooter?
To ride a shared e-Scooter, you have to be age 18 and older.
Can a child be a passenger on a shared e-Scooter?
No, a child cannot be a passenger on a shared e-Scooter. Anyone riding a shared e-Scooter with a child as a passenger can receive a $75 fine.
Can you double on a shared e-Scooter?
No, only one rider per shared e-Scooter is allowed .You can receive a $75 fine for carrying a passenger on a shared e-Scooter.
Is it against the law to drink and ride a shared e-Scooter?
Operating a shared e-Scooter, while you are impaired by alcohol, drugs or combination of the two, is a punishable offence to the full extent of the Canadian Law. Users are encouraged to review the full terms and conditions of use provided by each permitted e-Scooter operator.
What are the fines for inconsiderate riding behaviour?
The City of Calgary will be enforcing the fines to address safety concerns and deter inconsiderate shared e-Scooter rider behavior.
Fines include:
- A $400 fine for operating a shared e-Scooter in a reckless manner.
- A $400 fine for colliding with another user of the sidewalk or street.
- A $75 fine for carrying a passenger on a shared e-Scooter.
All fines related to shared e-Scooters can be found in The City of Calgary Traffic Bylaw 26M96 or the Bylaws related to Parks and Pathways. Please contact 311 to let us know of any riders not following the rules in Calgary.
Are helmets required?
Helmets are not required but are strongly encouraged.
Can I use my own personal e-Scooter?
Personal e-Scooters may be used only on the pathway network. The pathway network is regulated through the City’s Parks and Pathway Bylaw. Users of the pathway network have to follow all pathways regulations including a 20km/hr maximum speed limit.
E-Scooters on roadways and sidewalks are regulated under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act. E-Scooters are not allowed on roadways or sidewalks without a provincial exemption. Currently, shared e-Scooters are granted a provincial exemption as the speeds and locations of operation are regulated, and each e-Scooter operator company is required to have insurance to hold a permit, and other requirements.
Parking shared e-Scooters
Where do I park?
You can park a shared e-Scooter in the Share & Go Parking zones (see photos below) that are painted areas on the sidewalk or in select repurposed Car2Go microstalls intended to be used as a go-to place to find a shared e-Scooter or to end your ride.
If there is no Share & Go Parking zone available, you can park your shared e-Scooter upright in the 'furniture zone': the part of the sidewalk in line with bike racks, trees or trash bins as shown in this video. Always ensure that your shared e-Scooter is not parked in a way that will not block or inhibit other sidewalk users.
Where are the Share & Go Parking zones located?
There are approximately 30 Share & Go Parking zones painted around the shared e-Scooter operating areas. You can park your e-Scooter in any available Share & Go parking zone.
What if a shared e-Scooter is parked improperly and blocking the sidewalk or requires maintenance?
Permitted operators are responsible for parking issues, maintenance and the removal and relocation of their fleet. Please contact the permitted operator directly.
| Company name | Scooter Colour | Website | Contact info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bird Canada | Silver |
parking_calgary@birdcanada.co 1-866-205-2442 |
|
| Neuron Canada Inc. | Orange |
calgarysupport@neuron.sg 1-866-995-8770 |
Are there parking fines for improperly parked shared e-Scooters?
e-Scooter operators can implement fines for those users who continue to improperly park their shared e-Scooter once they have completed their ride (e.g. in the middle of the sidewalk). Every e-Scooter has a unique ID that's clearly marked, and you can report improperly parked e-Scooters by contacting the e-Scooter operator directly with the e-Scooter's ID and location.
For those with visual impairment, The City and the e-Scooter operators collaborated with CNIB Foundation (www.cnib.ca) and jointly developed a raised letter sticker with contact information of the operator to make it easier to contact an operator. The sticker is conveniently located on each device.
Please view the section on this website called “Fines for improperly parked e-Scooters” to learn the different ways you can report an improperly parked shared e-Scooter in Calgary.
About the shared e-Scooter program
What is the shared e-Scooter program or scooter share?
Scooter share is a service in which shared e-Scooters are made available for individuals to rent on a short-term basis. These shared e-Scooters are provided for a fee and may operate in a docked (stationed) or dockless system. Calgary’s shared e-Scooter program operates on a dockless system, meaning the shared e-Scooters are not required to be returned to a kiosk or docking station.
Where do I find a shared e-Scooter to rent?
Shared e-Scooters will be permitted to operate city wide, with each permitted operator designating its own service area. All permitted operators are required to have an app to help customers locate shared e-Scooters and to identify locations where parking is permitted. A good place to find a shared e-Scooter is at a Share & Go Parking Zone which is a painted area intended to be used as a go-to place to find an e-Scooter or to end your ride.
What is the cost to rent?
The cost of renting is set by each permitted operator. More information about permitted operators can be found on their respective app and/or website.
How does it work?
Similar to car and bike sharing technology, shared e-Scooters are GPS-enabled and can be rented using each company's smartphone app. In addition to the smartphone app, operators also offer other methods by which a shared e-scooter can be rented. Please contact an operator or visit their website for more details. A shared e-Scooter can be parked in an acceptable public space that is not impeding pedestrian traffic. It is then available for the next customer, who will be able to locate it and begin the rental using an application on their phone.
How many shared e-Scooters are in the program?
There are two permitted operators that are allowed to each operate a total of up to 750 devices. We have limited the number of shared e-Scooters to 1,500 devices. The City will continuously review this cap and adjust fleet size to meet demand and effectively manage parking and sidewalk clutter issues.
Are shared e-bikes coming back?
The City is working with the current operators to introduce e-Bike operations. The City will make an announcement regarding this soon.
How much does it cost The City of Calgary to run the program?
The shared e-Scooter and shared e-bikes are part of our micromobility program. The program operates on a cost recovery model and there is no cost to the City. The City recovers all municipal costs through a per-trip fee model and additional permit fees to build and maintain micromobility parking infrastructure.
e-Scooter companies
Pilot reports
Shared e-Scooter location data
View an anonymized version of the location data and maps on The City's Open Data Portal.