Bird Canada plans to bring its Bird Explorer e-bikes to Edmonton, with the fleet expected to be fully rolled out by 2027. The company currently supplies e-bikes and e-scooters in the city, while Alberta considers a framework for regulating privately owned micromobility devices.

The new bikes are already operating in Calgary, Halifax and a few locations in the United States. Bird regional operations manager Tyler Zeck described the Explorer as a different ride from the company’s existing Edmonton models. “They’re considerably lighter weight compared to the existing bikes in town, and they’re a little bit smaller frame as well, smaller tire … Technically, they can go faster, but they don’t because we don’t allow them to.”

Municipalities set speed limits for devices covered by public micromobility contracts. The legality of private e-scooters and e-bikes, however, falls under Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act. Municipal complaints have largely concerned privately owned devices, many of which are illegal, and the province has previously said it would work on a framework allowing municipalities to permit and enforce private micromobility devices.

Zeck said Bird intends to follow any provincial requirements on speed limits and where devices can operate. “Of course, we’ve watched the scene very carefully, and would always respond to any changes that were required. I do know that a lot of the debate these days is around scooter safety, and we have found that the bigger problem is the private sector,” he said.

Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack said the city supports provincial efforts to establish rules because private devices are not currently recognized in a way that allows them to be governed. “This is a scenario where I think this is perfectly within the provincial government’s jurisdiction. This is actually within their jobs. I’ve talked to the (transportation) minister about this,” he said. Knack added: “It’s not the Bird, it’s not the Lime bikes that are the issue because they have speed limiters.”

Alberta Municipalities president Dylan Bressey has said he hopes for a change as soon as the spring, though there is no firm timeline. The report included files from CTV News Edmonton’s Evan Klippenstein and Amanda Anderson.

Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton.