what are the needs of "Other Wheeled Things" in Richmond

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1 Answer

Bruno · Answer 1 · 2012-04-12T01:12:51+0000

PMD - Personal Mobility Devices (Larry Pamer)

contact RCD Richmond Centre for Disabilities - major advocate for disabled people
CoR makes available Diversity Services as part of Community Services
Motorized Personal Mobility Device - regulation and classification not yet available in Canada (oct 2010)
The Motor Vehicle Act states: When you operate a motorized wheelchair, mobility scooter or power scooter in British Columbia... you are considered a pedestrian!

E-bikes and e-scooters (Reilly, Derek)

in BC e-bikes: max. 500 watts and 32km top speed (motor alone).
Rider must be 16+, wear a helmet, and obey all rules as regular bike.
must have operating pedals.
class 5 licence required (class 6 not required)
China leads with 120-140 million Ebikes and scooters today
Chinese generally use both bike lanes and roadways
Scientific American 2010: USA sold 80,000 units 30million in China, 1.4 million in India, 400,000 in Europe and 350,000 in Japan

skateboards and longboards (Linda, Joan, Maria)

prefer to ride on the road and in bike lanes, as the cracks on sidewalks cause problems for the wheels, as does gravel.
frequently stopped by police for riding on road AND for for riding on sidewalk!
in 2010, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities voted against helmet legislation for skateboarders and inline skaters
some kids will take the bus from Tsawwassen to North Vancouver just to ride down those hills! (recently banned in West Vancouver)
City of Vancouver's Street & Traffic Bylaw does allow skateboards, rollerblades & kick scooters on minor streets with conditions Bylaw 2849c
skateboarders are stereotyped by the authorities as 'young
people up to no good' and often get harassed

Riding on the Sidewalk: (Larry, Joan)

in Portland: legal to ride on the sidewalk, except for ebikes
Section 183(2) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act : (2) A person operating a cycle (a) must not ride on a sidewalk unless authorized by a bylaw made under section 124 or unless otherwise directed by a sign,
municipalities do have the authority to permit, by bylaw, a cyclist to ride on the sidewalk. Maple Ridge & Westminster currently allow this with some conditions (i.e., New West doesn't allow it in their City Centre).

Cargo Bikes and Trikes: (as servants of commerce)