Scoot on, Jasper – News

The City of Jasper has repealed a local ordinance banning skateboards, roller skates and scooters on city center roads.

The discussion arose after a Jasper resident complained that electric scooters should be allowed in the city center.

E-scooters are still prohibited on public roads under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act, although there is an active lobby to update the law, said Christine Nadon, director of Legislative and Protective Services for the MOJ. She noted that the local RCMP has not taken a hard line on e-scooters.

“It doesn’t seem to be a priority,” Nadon said.

After discussing the merits of setting a minimum age for scooter and skateboard riding in the downtown area, Jasper councillors voted to go with the administration’s recommendation: removing the subsection of the bylaw that prohibits skateboards, scooters and roller skates. The change coincides with similar legislation in Banff, Canmore and Edmonton.

The administration’s position, which the council ultimately agreed with, is that “users must abide by traffic rules regardless of what wheeled device they are riding,” Nadon said.

Councilman Scott Wilson moved to delete the article stating that “no person shall skateboard, roller skate or operate a scooter in the Central Business District.” The motion passed unanimously.

The Town of Jasper supervisors are currently not equipped with the proper designations to address violations of the Alberta Traffic Safety Act. However, Nadon confirmed that her team will return to council in the future to address that deficiency.