Delegates at Alberta Municipalities’ annual convention passed a resolution asking the provincial government to regulate privately owned e-scooters and e-bikes. The motion was brought forward by Spruce Grove city councillor Brad Mastaler, renewing and updating a resolution promoted by Edmonton and Calgary three years ago as personal micromobility devices grow more popular.

The three-day convention is being held at the Edmonton Convention Centre. Mastaler told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday that the resolution was reshaped to reflect current conditions. “It was an important point for us to renew a resolution and reshape it for today’s realities,” he said.

Mastaler said the measure received broad support because communities of different sizes are dealing with public safety and health challenges related to the devices. “I was happy to see that it passed with broad support because I think this is an issue that even the small village of Irma, a mid-sized city like Spruce Grove, and cities of Edmonton and Calgary are all experiencing some challenges in public safety and in health. We want people to be safe when they’re using these e-scooters.”

Alberta said earlier this week it is developing a potential legislative framework that would let municipalities permit people to use their own e-scooters and enforce rules governing them. Dylan Bressey, president of Alberta Municipalities, expects legislation to be introduced this fall, with new rules in place by spring.

Under current provincial rules, privately owned e-scooters are not regulated and cannot be used on roads or sidewalks. Rental scooters are permitted under an exemption granted to ride-share companies that provide them. Mastaler said provincial rules should give municipalities a consistent basis to oversee the devices. He said the province needs to “create a consistent set of rules and tools for municipalities to start to regulate and enforce” their use.

“It’s time for the province to really listen to municipalities’ feedback where these have been operating and where people are operating them outside of the provision of the law to find out how best to create the legislation and regulation to make this work for communities,” Mastaler said.

The City of Edmonton said earlier this week it knows the province is considering amendments to the Traffic Safety Act. City officials have discussed the proposed amendments with provincial counterparts. The report included files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti.

Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton.