Lacombe County has given the green light to e-scooters in one of its subdivisions.
Roll Technologies Inc., which was recently given approval by Lacombe city council to make its e-scooters available in a two-year exclusive pilot project in that community, asked the county if it could extend their range to the Rosedale Valley subdivision.
The company, which often goes by Roll Scooters, began offering its scooters in Lacombe earlier this month. The county subdivision is located just northeast of the city near Burman University.
Last week, county council approved the request.
In making his request to add Rosedale Valley several weeks ago, Roll co-founder and chief commercial officer Arda Erturk told county council that if the Rosedale Valley request was approved e-scooters might also expand to other areas of the county.
Software called geo-fencing is used by Roll to ensure e-scooter riders observe slow-speed, no-ride and no-parking zones.
For many, e-scooters provide a safe alternative to driving to destinations, said Erturk. A company survey found one-in-three e-scooter trips in Calgary replaced a vehicle trip.
Roll also operates in Ottawa, Kelowna, Red Deer, St. Albert and Cochrane.