Electric scooter rentals have become a familiar sight in Moncton and now the city is moving toward new rules to address safety and accessibility concerns. Stephen MacArthur, owner of MOVE Scooter Rentals, says business has been strong since launching. “Minus the weather, it’s consistent from mid-April up until mid-November, it’s pretty good,” MacArthur said. City officials say they’re hearing regular complaints about where scooters are being left after riders finish their trips. “We see these things on the sidewalk all the time,” said Charles LeBlanc, Moncton’s director of safety. “They’re taking space. They’re parked all over the place.” Council approved first reading of a proposed bylaw this past Monday, which includes riders must wear helmets, be at least 16 years old and slow down in designated downtown areas. MacArthur says many of the proposed rules are already in place at MOVE Scooter Rentals. “AI is set up on our parking and proof photo. So when the customer ends the ride, they have to take a picture of the scooter. If it’s not parked in proper positions, then the AI will make them retake the photo,” he said. “Everything that’s been brought to the table we’ve already been aware of. We had meetings with the city earlier this year.” The company also says it actively monitors riders who repeatedly break the rules. “We did get some riders that obviously don’t follow the rules,” MacArthur said. “When we’re getting consistent complaints about a certain rider, we ban them. So far, we’ve banned 30 people off our app. We’re trying to work with the community and, at the same time, have a good business for our riders. Unfortunately, there are some bad apples.” Halifax has had rental e-scooters longer than Moncton and many residents there say the biggest issue isn’t the scooters themselves, but where they’re left. “At the corner of Chebucto Road and Cunard Avenue. Really bad. You have to walk around them,” one resident said. “I think they’re a convenient way to get around, but I do find them a nuisance on the sidewalks,” said another. A third resident suggested creating more designated parking areas. “I feel like if the city would have more bike parking spots where the scooters could be parked.” Downtown Moncton businesses say they support clearer rules after raising concerns with the city. Patrick Richard with the Downtown Moncton Association says e-scooters have made it easier for some people to get around downtown, but he’s not convinced they’ve brought more people into the core. “I think it’s definitely made moving around downtown maybe a little easier or just a different way to experience downtown,” he said. “But to say that they’ve, you know, quantifiably brought extra people downtown, I’m not sure that I’d be willing to say that.” Richard says businesses are more concerned about scooters blocking sidewalks and storefronts. “They’re laying across sidewalks, they’re blocking entrances to stores. So having a better setup for how we store them and take care of them, I think would be very welcomed by the business.” Council has set Aug. 17 for the second and third readings of the proposed bylaw. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
