Bird, Neuron e-scooters hit the streets and sidewalks of Calgary Friday

CALGARY — Beginning Friday, e-scooters will be back on the streets and sidewalks of Calgary.

There will 1,500 Bird and Neuron scooters to choose from that are being placed across the city to rent and ride.

Along with using the scooters in bike lanes, on pathways, and empty sidewalks, you will now be able to go for a ride on roadways with lower speed limits and lower volumes of traffic, as well as in temporary adaptive lanes.

“This is a huge opportunity for Calgarians in having a new choice of mobility in how to get around,” said Ward 8 councillor Evan Woolley.

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Woolley says it’s also big for businesses in the city, with about 50 per cent of trips ending in front of small businesses.

Bird scooters were seen all across Calgary during the initial pilot project, but for Neuron, a company that operates out of Asia, it will be making its first jump over to North America with the implementation of its scooters in Calgary.

Woolley adds that both companies will also be adding bikes at some point, though the numbers at this time aren’t clear.

“This is again a huge opportunity for a new mobility choice, people have their own bikes, this is good for tourism and great for small businesses.”

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Woolley says the scooters are also great for jobs, with an expected 125 or so permanent jobs because of them.

“Bird is announcing they are going to have their North American headquarters in Calgary here. Their supply chain, building their scooters here and overall just a great piece of news for Calgarians.”