With e-scooters becoming a popular way for people to get around on the streets of Weyburn, there have been some wondering what the exact rules for them are. In an interview with Discover Weyburn, Constable Preston Roy of the Weyburn Police Service outlined that there are a number of regulations when it comes to e-scooters, which are a combination of provincial legislation and local bylaws.
The provincial regulations, which are set by SGI, mandate that e-scooter operators must be 16 years of age or older. As well, the use of an approved helmet is required, due to the potential for injury in the event of a fall. Passengers are also not permitted on an e-scooter. There is also one other rule that must be followed, Cst. Roy noted. Users of an e-scooter must be sober and drug-free.
“Same with e-bikes,” Cst. Roy clarified. “Because there is a motor conveyance aspect to that, there is the potential to be getting an impaired charge if someone is impaired.”
A significant point for Weyburn residents is the local bylaw concerning sidewalks.
“We want to keep the sidewalks for pedestrians, so anything like an e-bike or e-scooter should be travelling on the roadways rather than the sidewalks,” Cst. Roy stated.
The focus on safety in the regulations is underscored by a recent report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, which reveals a concerning trend. The report stated there is a 61 per cent increase in e-scooter-related hospitalizations of youth since 2022.