In February, NABSA convened a panel of professionals well-versed in the Canadian shared micromobility landscape to discuss the state of shared micromobility in Canada. The roundtable discussion, facilitated by Jamie Stuckless of Stuckless Consulting Inc, highlighted advocacy efforts, challenges, and work done so far. The discussants were:

• Cameron Noonan, City of Kelowna
• Chelsea Cox, Hamilton Bike Share Inc.
• Justin Hanna, Toronto Parking Authority/Bike Share Toronto
• Marco D’Angelo, Canadian Urban Transit Association
• Vanessa Cipriani, TransForm Lab

Canada was home to some of the earliest shared micromobility systems in North America, including Montreal’s bikeshare system, which launched in 2009. Despite the early start, NABSA’s Shared Micromobility State of the Industry Report for North America highlighted just seven Canadian jurisdictions with shared micromobility systems in place in 2020. Many Canadian communities are at various stages of considering shared micromobility but face barriers, including limited budgets, legislation that does not permit e-scooters on public roads, and concerns about winter operations.

While shared micromobility is already providing millions of Canadians with fun, fast, easy, and affordable mobility options, the sector has the potential to support millions more trips as systems expand and grow into new communities. In addition, shared micromobility aligns well with the Government of Canada’s goal of encouraging a modal shift away from cars and toward active transportation, an objective articulated in Canada’s first-ever National Active Transportation Strategy. Unfortunately, shared micromobility was not mentioned within the strategy when it launched in 2021, and non-fixed infrastructure, such as bikes and scooters for shared systems, is specifically ineligible for funding through the designated AT Fund at this time. NABSA is advocating to change this, and Canadian shared micromobility stakeholders are working hard to grow the sector and expand access in communities.

The roundtable discussants spoke to the key themes emerging in their communities, organizations, and across Canada. Here are three key takeaways from the panel:

Reliable government funding is vital for the growth and sustainability of Canada’s shared micromobility systems.
While ridership and sponsorship revenue can support some costs, it isn’t enough. Canada’s Active Transportation Strategy is an encouraging step in the right direction, but more direct support is needed to expand shared micromobility’s benefits across communities in Canada. NABSA engages with Canadian policymakers to advocate for bold and innovative actions at the federal level that prioritize safe infrastructure and financial support for all active transportation modes, including shared micromobility.

More safe, dedicated infrastructure for shared micromobility riders, and active transportation modes in general, is needed.
Panelists discussed how the lack of a safe riding space has led to negative rider behavior, like riding on sidewalks, in multiple municipalities, and can be a barrier to adoption. For example, results from a study on e-scooter related injuries conducted by the City of Kelowna and their health department included a specific recommendation that e-scooters and other micromobility devices receive dedicated infrastructure to increase rider safety. There are current funding sources, like Canada’s Active Transportation Fund, that can support the development of this infrastructure.

Shared micromobility is becoming recognized as a necessary component of public transportation networks.
Panelists discussed how municipalities are beginning to see shared micromobility as an equitable solution to first and last-mile problems and overall transportation equity. While integration with existing apps used by transit agencies and payment systems has been challenging, panelists recommended that a possible way to overcome this challenge is to include transit agencies during the planning and implementation process.

View the recording below to hear the full discussion and more insights from the panelists themselves.

Thank you to our panelists for sharing their exciting work and expert insights!

NABSA hosts members-only and public virtual events like this roundtable discussion throughout the year. Find info about our upcoming and past events at nabsa.net/webinars.

More information about NABSA’s past and upcoming advocacy work can be found at nabsa.net/advocacy. Here, you’ll also find information about our Advocacy Toolkit, a collection of resources for those interested in advocating for shared micromobility.