UBC researchers say the use of motorized bikes, skateboards and unicycles is leading to faster speeds on multi-use pathways.
UBC researchers are suggesting some changes to keep bike paths safe after a study has shown the use of electric bikes and other motorized devices has skyrocketed in Metro Vancouver.
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And with it is an increase in speeds, say researchers.
Paths are becoming faster and more motorized, which is raising safety fears for cyclists and pedestrians using the paths, said Alex Bigazzi, an associate professor in civil engineering and planning at UBC. Bigazzi also heads the university’s research lab on active transportation.
Use of standup electric scooters increased to 4.2 per cent from 0.4 per cent. However, only about half of the 12 Metro Vancouver location areas studied were in municipalities where they have been legalized.
And it’s not just e-bikes and scooters that are increasingly in use, but also motorized skateboards and unicycles — which have not been legalized for use in public spaces in B.C.
High-end electric unicycles can reach speeds of more than 40 km/h an hour but under provincial rules e-scooters are limited to 25 km/h or less on paths while e-bikes must not exceed 32 km/h.
“Having more mobility options in the city is a good thing overall. But we just need to make sure we’re doing it in a way that still provides safe and comfortable places for pedestrians and non-motorized travellers,” said Bigazzi.
He said overall speed on shared paths has increased by 11 per cent, or two km/h. However it’s faster for electric skateboards, which have increased by four km/h and self-balancing unicycle speeds, which have sped up by 10 km/h.
Bigazzi said consumers may assume that because they bought their motorized unicycle in a local shop that they can use it in bike lanes or on roads.
“The unicycles that are being used now are going too fast to be used on paths. They’re inappropriate. Paths aren’t designed for those speeds, and they’re much faster than everyone else,” he said.
The study found many self-balancing unicycles are going over the pathway speed limit, with nearly half of them exceeding 32 km/h.
The study recommends rethinking path design to separate faster-moving devices from pedestrians, using physical design to manage speeds, and providing enhanced public education to promote safe practices on shared paths.
Researchers also emphasize the need to revise the Motor Vehicle Act to account for the growing variety of personal mobility devices and clarify vehicle and usage requirements.
“I think we could do a lot more to provide clarity around what devices people are allowed to use and what are the legal characteristics for those devices. Right now we have a landscape where no one is really sure what’s allowed to be used,” said Bigazzi.
They also suggest that speed limits may need to be adjusted slightly higher if these trends continue.
For safety, the city engineering department was asked to set up geo-fencing on ride-share scooters to digitally control their speed, especially in high-traffic areas such as the seawall.
With files from Joseph Ruttle and Gordon Hoekstra