Electric scooters are not permitted in the Halifax Public Garden, on Metro Transit ferries or on the Macdonald Bridge pedestrian path. Apart from these basic rules, there is a lot of uncertainty in the laws surrounding electric scooters and their use. Prior to the recent changes, the Motor Vehicle Act made no mention of electric scooters, which Rastelli says has made it difficult for customers and sellers to understand where, when and how fast people can ride e-scooters in the city. Every night, Max Rastelli tracks his GPS up and down the Halifax hills and combs the city through a sort of daily scavenger hunt for discarded e-scooters. Once found, the owner of the HFX electric scooters charges the devices into his van, takes them back to his shipping container in the port and charges them before using them again for the next morning. One of the legislative changes appears to be the inclusion of the term «bicycles with electrical support» in the new definitions. Given the new criteria listed in the proposed Regulations, it is very likely that electric scooters will be included, bringing them within the scope of the Highway Safety Act. «Innovation is happening faster and faster,» said Max Rastelli, owner of Segway Nova Scotia, a company that rents electric scooters. «The amendments to the [law] will give municipalities the power to make laws for the use of electric scooters. Some may choose not to allow their use. This allows the legislation to give municipalities the flexibility to respond to their residents,» Bayer said.
While there isn`t the same potential for injury and damage as with a car, electric scooters and electric bikes aren`t as harmless as many people think. But it`s not just fun and games. While using electric scooters is a fun and useful means of transportation, it can also lead to injuries for yourself or others. It`s important to understand the rules surrounding the use of electric scooters and the things you need to pay attention to. Don`t fall into the trap of assuming you`re not driving a car that the rules have changed and that you can do whatever you want. You can still get fined if you drive an electric scooter recklessly, especially if you injure another person. And similarly, you should always take precautions regarding other people who use electric scooters to reduce the risk of being hit and injured by one. «They are very comfortable, they are very practical, they are very reasonably priced. Overall, I don`t think there could be a better device than electric scooters,» Rad said. This mode of transportation has proven popular in the city due to its low cost, easy accessibility, and effortless commuting options. These benefits have been discussed at length as electric scooters become more common around the world. In most traffic accidents, during a legal dispute, it is the defendant`s auto insurance company that compensates the injured party.
However, since electric scooters do not currently require insurance when using them, this method of compensation is no longer available. But these means of transport carry risks. If used inappropriately or without care and attention, people can be injured and damaged. For this reason, municipal and provincial governments, including Halifax, regulate their use as e-scooters and their number of e-bikes. For now, anyone using an electric scooter or electric bike in Halifax should continue to follow the laws outlined in this article. However, the legislative landscape is changing, so it`s important to keep abreast of news in this area. Many people think that impaired driving laws only apply to cars and motorcycles, but they also apply to electric scooters and electric bikes. Many people skip this important rule, but not wearing a helmet when riding an electric scooter can have serious consequences. You can receive a fine if you ride an electric scooter without a helmet. But you can also hurt yourself and others around you if you don`t take the necessary precautions, such as wearing protective gear. Always wear a helmet and do not hesitate to complete with knee pads or elbow pads for maximum safety.
You can never be too safe when using an electric scooter. The current legislation that governs the use of all motor vehicles throughout Nova Scotia is the Motor Vehicle Act. Although this law does not explicitly refer to electric scooters, it was passed for their use until the updated legislation was available. «When it comes to e-scooters, it makes sense for municipalities to set the rules for their use in their communities,» Masland said. «There is a growing interest in electric scooters, and we are establishing general rules to ensure everyone`s safety.» It takes this conservative approach to avoid problems in other cities where e-scooter companies have launched fleets of hundreds of e-scooters, leading to complaints of overcrowding and «scooter waste.» Electric scooters are popping up in downtown Halifax, but there aren`t many regulations on how and where to ride them. It`s no surprise that electric bikes and electric scooters are becoming more and more popular. They are affordable for walking, they take up little space and nothing beats the thrill of using an electric bike on the open road. Currently, the use of electric bikes and electric scooters in Halifax is regulated by the Motor Vehicle Act, which includes electric bicycles in the definition of «bicycle».
Although the new legislation will apply to all modes of transport, it is likely that some provisions will apply specifically to electric scooters and e-bikes. He said it was important to take clear safety precautions, such as riding electric scooters under the influence of alcohol and creating designated parking spaces. With miles of coastline and unparalleled scenic beauty, Halifax is a great place for electric bikes and scooters. Residents and tourists alike are giving up tourist walks in favor of days spent on the saddle of a bicycle, and those who work in the city appreciate comfortable and environmentally friendly commuters. It`s easy for cyclists to overestimate what they can do on their electric scooters. Nova Scotia is one of the few jurisdictions in Canada that does not currently set a minimum age for the use of bicycles and e-scooters. If you have been hit or injured by someone riding an electric scooter in Halifax, it is important to remember that we have the resources to defend you against an injury of this kind. At McKiggan Hebert Lawyers, our lawyers will stop at nothing to protect you from the person who injured you on an electric scooter and will fight for your right to compensation. A spokesman for the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation said traffic laws will be updated to reflect electric scooters, but added that it was still too early to say what the rules will look like or when they will be in effect.
The scooters can travel up to 25 kilometers per hour, with a range of 40 kilometers, and can be rented with a smartphone and credit card for 25 cents per minute. This would represent about $3 from the waterfront to the public gardens. Drivers must wear a helmet in accordance with the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act – Helmet Regulations. Helmets are available free of charge at our waterfront location. HFX e-Scooters is not responsible for drivers who violate the regulations of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act – Helmet Regulations, nor for fines or legal proceedings resulting from non-compliance. This is where it can get more complicated. As you can probably imagine, electric scooters don`t require car insurance like your standard vehicle. This means that standard car insurance is unlikely to be available as a compensation area if you are bumped into by someone driving an electric scooter or motorbike. Although it seems that electric scooters will be included in the new legislation, the Road Safety Act is still in the draft stage and is therefore not yet in force. Therefore, you should use electric scooters with particular caution until the laws are formalized.
Rastelli has 32 scooters available for rent. He said it`s «kind of a little fleet as if we`re doing this sweet introduction to the city.» Whatever the laws, the main goal is to bring all electric bikes and scooters in Halifax from point A to point B without anyone being injured. When using your electric bike or scooter, it`s important that you pay attention to traffic lights and signs that apply to vehicles, not pedestrians. Yes, there are laws that those who use electric scooters must follow. Nowadays, it seems like you have nowhere to go in Halifax without seeing an electric scooter.