Bird Canada, HRM partner to bring e-bikes and e-scooters to residents

Three-hundred e-bikes and 300 e-scooters are now available for rent in Halifax.

Canadian company Bird Canada rolled out their e-bikes and e-scooters across the Halifax region on Thursday.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) partnered with Bird Canada on a two-year pilot program to introduce 300 e-bikes and 300 e-scooters, which will expand over the pilot period.

The new program will roll out in phases to certain areas of the municipality. They will have designated parking zones and can be accessed using the Bird app.

The first phases includes areas in:

• Halifax
• Dartmouth
• Fairview
• Spryfield
• Westphal
• Woodside

Later phases will expand to communities such as Burnside, Bedford and Sackville.

“The municipality is partnering with United Way and Bird Canada on a more equitable micromobility initiative including Flex Fare Zones and a Community Pricing Program to reduce barriers to access so that more people can be introduced to micromobility,” a news release from the municipality says.

The maximum speed for the e-bikes and e-scooters is 25k/h. Riding is permitted on roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h, in bike lanes, on multi-use pathways and in certain parks. Riding is not permitted on sidewalks.

“No ride zones” such as high pedestrian areas or restricted areas will bring the devices to a complete stop. “Slow ride zones” will limit the devices speed to 15km/h. These zones can be seen on the Bird app.

The e-bikes and e-scooters are equipped with helmets that must be worn by riders. Riders must be 18 and over to register but 16 and 17-year-old riders may register if a waiver is signed by a parent or guardian.

The steps of renting the e-bikes or e-scooters are:

• Download the Bird app
• Find an available e-bike or e-scooter
• Unlock it
• Wear the helmet
• Ride safely
• Park in a designated zone

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