FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. - The City of Fort St. John is calling on the B.C. government to end its electric kick scooter pilot project and move toward provincewide regulations.
The city has opted out of the provincial program and is calling for consistent rules across British Columbia, with a focus on rider and community safety.
The city’s recommendation also calls for a letter to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General seeking financial assistance for additional RCMP resources.
The provincial pilot dates back to 2021. The current regulation is scheduled to remain in place until 2028, when it is set to be repealed.
The province intends to use information collected through the program to help determine whether e-scooters should be permanently authorized in B.C.
Fort St. John city officials argue the pilot has already been running for years and the province should move toward a permanent regulatory framework rather than continuing the pilot until 2028.
The city also says e-scooters themselves have not been the primary problem locally.
Ryan Harvery, the communication manager for the City of Fort St. John says, complaints are “almost never” about vehicles that meet the definition of electric kick scooters.
Instead, concerns have largely involved e-dirt bikes, more powerful electric scooters, gas-powered dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles. Those e-dirt bikes are not covered by the provincial e-scooter pilot.
While the RCMP have not received any major complaints or incidents involving e-scooters, the city says additional police capacity would be required to enforce the provincial regulations if Fort St. John joined the pilot, while local RCMP resources are already focused on other priorities.
In Fort St. John, e-scooters are not permitted on roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, sports fields or multi-use paths along roads, although they may be used in certain park areas.
Riders using e-scooters where prohibited could receive violation tickets and may have their scooters seized by RCMP.
The situation is different for other forms of micromobility. E-bikes are permitted where bicycles are allowed, while mini motorcycles and e-dirt bikes can only be used on private property or in approved off-road areas and are not permitted on public roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, sports fields or multi-use trails.
Under the provincial pilot, e-scooter riders must be at least 16, wear a helmet and follow restrictions governing where the devices can be operated. Eligible scooters are limited to a maximum speed capability of 25 kilometres per hour and a continuous power output of no more than 500 watts.
As of July 2026, 37 communities were taking part in the pilot.