Riding Rules, St. Albert (the “City”)

Last updated 14 August 2024

Neuron sets localised Riding Rules to protect the safety of our Users and the general public. It is important to familiarise yourself with these Rules every time you ride. Failure to comply with these Riding Rules may result in imposition of a fee,  suspension or termination of your account, and could invalidate any available insurance.

These Riding Rules apply to your access and use of our electric scooters (each a “vehicle” and collectively the “vehicles”).

You must always abide by all applicable road rules, parking requirements, curfews and any other relevant laws, regulations or restrictions imposed by relevant authorities or by Neuron. Furthermore, electric scooter are subject to the Criminal Code of Canada and users operating electric scooters while the users’ ability to operate them is impaired to any degree by alcohol or a drug or a combination of alcohol and a drug, is a punishable offence to the full extent of Canadian Law.

1. RESPONSIBLE RIDING

To ride our vehicles you must:

1.1 be at least 16 years of age and, where under 18, have the consent of your parent or guardian.

1.2 be in good health, not have any existing physical, mental, medical or other condition that may impair your ability to safely operate the vehicle;

1.3 not be under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, drugs, medication, or any other substance that may impair your ability to operate the vehicle safely;

1.4 wear a helmet while using an electric scooter. Neuron also encourages the use of other safety equipment as appropriate, including but not limited to covered footwear. Furthermore, under Traffic Bylaw 18/2005, an “approved helmet” is required to be worn by electric scooter users when operating an electric scooter within the City, unless: i) the wearing of a helmet would interfere with an essential religious practice; or ii) a valid certificate (producible to a Peace Officer upon request) issued by a medical practitioner certifies that the user, for the period stated in the certificate, is unable for medical reasons to wear an approved helmet;

1.5 be the only rider (never allow someone else to ride your vehicle);

1.6 not carry passengers, including adults, children, infants (in baby carriers or otherwise), animals including pets and service animals etc.;

1.7 keep under the weight limit of 140kg for electric scooter (total weight, i.e. rider and cargo);

1.8 not carry items weighing more than 10kg in total and/or items that may impede your ability to safely operate the vehicle, including but not limited to bulky, oversized or imbalance items;

1.9 not use any phone, tablet, laptop, computers, smartwatch, music player, mobile electronic device, or any other device that might distract you while riding;

1.10 not ride in adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, lightning storms, monsoons, windy conditions, typhoons, hurricanes, cyclones, tropical storms, flooding, storm surges, haze, fog, smog, dust storms, reduced visibility conditions, hail, heavy snow, and icy conditions;

1.11 not use the vehicle for racing, tricks, stunts, towing (either towing or being towed by another person, vehicle, bicycle, or device), or in any other manner other than for personal transport;

1.12 ride in a safe and respectful manner, keep a safe distance, be considerate of other road or path users, specially pedestrians and ride at a speed that does not put yourself or others at risk.

2. STARTING AND ENDING A TRIP

2.1 TO START:

2.1.1 inspect the vehicle

      • test the brakes, lights, horn and throttle;

2.1.2 wear safety equipment

      • wear a helmet and other personal protective equipment as necessary and as mandated in your jurisdiction at all times, unless an exemption has been granted by an appropriate authority for medical or religious reason, as detailed above. It is a legal requirement to wear a helmet in the City while using an electric scooter; and

2.1.3 adjust riding position

      • adopt a safe and comfortable riding position on the vehicle.

Do not use the vehicle if it does not pass the above tests, or is otherwise unsuitable for operation.

2.2 TO END:

2.2.1 return the vehicle in the same condition as when you started the trip, normal wear and tear permitting;

2.2.2 deploy the kickstand and ensure the vehicle is upright with all wheels in contact with the ground;

2.2.3 if you use a helmet provided by Neuron for the trip:

(a) for a vehicle equipped with a helmet lock, return the helmet to the locking mechanism fitted to the vehicle and make sure it is locked securely, otherwise Neuron may charge you a replacement fee if you fail to do so when you end your trip; or

(b) for a vehicle not equipped with an operational helmet lock, clip the helmet to the vehicle’s handlebars using the helmet strap and notify Neuron of the faulty locking mechanism.

3. PARKING

3.1 When parking:

3.1.1 park only in the designated parking areas, as indicated in the Neuron App; and

3.1.2 park the vehicle upright in a safe and responsible way, having regard for other sidewalk users.

3.2 DO NOT park the vehicle:

3.2.1 outside the service area, in restricted public areas, or in any designated no-parking zones indicated in the Neuron app;

3.2.2 on roads, bridges or in areas that may cause an obstruction or hinder access, including to pathways, sidewalks, doorways, entrances, stairwells, emergency exits, fire hydrants (do not park within 5 meters of fire hydrants), ramps, street lights and power poles, bus or train stations, public amenities, parking spaces,  tactile ground surface indicators or accessibility parking zones etc.;

3.2.3 within restricted access private areas which will prevent other users from accessing the vehicles (e.g. within a condominium, school compound, commercial or residential property); 

3.2.4 where doing so would be a breach of applicable traffic rules, and any other relevant laws and regulations (federal, provincial, local or otherwise); or

3.2.5 Unless there is a designated parking area, no parking is allowed within a transit centre or bus stop.

4. DURING A TRIP

While riding in the City, observe the following rules:

4.1. WHERE YOU MAY RIDE

4.1.1 you may ride:

a) on sidewalks and paved-trails (but must slow down and yield to pedestrians); 

The maximum riding speed is 15 km/h. 

4.2 WHERE YOU MAY NOT RIDE 

4.2.1 you may not ride:

a) on roads and/or roadways;

b) on the City of St. Albert Transit vehicles;

c) in the City of St. Albert Transit terminals and transit zones;

d) inside of any building or public facility;

e) on playgrounds with rubberized surfacing;

f) on parking lots;

g) in Woodlands Skate Park;

h) in Woodlands Water Play Park;

i) in Fowler Athletic Park;

j) on trails that are not asphalt multi-use surfaces; and

k) any other zone or area specified as a no-ride zone in the Neuron app.

4.3 DO

4.3.1 remain in standing position at all times if you are riding a scooter; 

4.3.2 remain on paved surfaces at all times—do not go on grass, broken ground or other soft surfaces;

4.3.3 ensure that you have adequate visibility at all times, and can be seen by others, use the on-board lights when necessary; 

4.3.4 ride single file, avoid riding side-by-side on roadways;

4.3.5 keep to the right;

4.3.6 use the bell to alert others when passing; 

4.3.7 use hand signals to indicate your movements to pedestrians and pathway users;

4.3.8 yield the right of way (give way to both pedestrians and drivers of mobility devices, such a wheelchairs) at all times;

4.3.9 to cross a roadway at a crosswalk, you must:

a) slow down and stop, dismount the vehicle and look both ways;

b) give way to any vehicle or pedestrian before crossing; and

begin to cross as a pedestrian in accordance with pedestrian traffic control signals; and

4.3.10 stop riding immediately if the vehicle malfunctions, the battery is low, or the vehicle cannot be ridden safely.

4.4 DON’T:

4.4.1 ride against the flow of traffic;

4.4.2 cause nuisance, distraction, or inconvenience to other road or path users. 

5. WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT

5.1 Make sure you and any third parties involved are safe, then seek emergency assistance if required.  In the event of an emergency, please follow the guidance on our app or the emergency page of our website.

5.2 Neuron’s customer support team will contact you to share details about the accident such as when, where, and how it happened, and whether any third parties were involved.

5.3 If any third parties are involved, then you must NOT RIDE AWAY from the scene.  You must stop if any property has been damaged or if anyone is injured and provide your name and address and any other relevant details to anyone who needs it.

5.4 Similarly, you should ask any other third party who is involved for a name, address, and any other relevant details.

5.5 You should not admit any fault or make any offers or promises etc. to any third party that was involved at any time without speaking to us or the insurance company first. 

5.6 Information on Ride Insurance can be found on the Neuron App and here.

6. OTHER RESTRICTIONS

6.1 Do not retain the vehicle in your possession after a trip. This includes keeping the vehicle within your property.

6.2 Do not convey or otherwise transport the vehicle other than by riding it, including on public transport.

6.3 Do not ride or transport the vehicle outside of the designated riding areas.

6.4 Do not prevent or obstruct other users from using the vehicle after completing a ride (e.g. by locking the vehicle with an external device).

6.5 Do not modify, disassemble, remove components, or otherwise tamper with the vehicle in any way.

6.6 Do not retain possession of personal protective equipment provided by Neuron, including helmets, after completing a ride. Attach these to the vehicle for use by the next rider (see 2.2.3 To End a trip). 

6.7 Do not use the vehicle for commercial activities or purposes (e.g. courier, food delivery, promotional activities, rideshare) without Neuron’s prior written consent.