E-scooters blocking Calgary sidewalks create accessibility problems

E-scooters are part of life in many cities, but when they aren’t in use scooters can end up blocking pathways or sidewalks causing problems for some people.

By Danina Falkenberg

Posted May 5, 2023 12:50 pm.

Last Updated May 5, 2023 12:51 pm.

Many Calgarians use e-scooters to get around when the weather warms, but they aren’t convenient for everyone, especially if they’re blocking a sidewalk or other right-of-way.

Kent Hehr uses a wheelchair, and he shared a comic on social media, it depicts people using e-scooters while tipped over scooters behind them are blocking access to a person in a wheelchair — a situation that has directly impacted Hehr in his life in Calgary.

“I was just out walking with my wife last week when we were going by a place and certainly there were two scooters that she had to physically move and put to the side,” he said.

A cartoon depicts e-scooters blocking the way for a wheelchair user. (Courtesy Facebook/Kent Hehr).

The situation is not a Calgary only problem — the creator of the comic is from Finland.

Zachary Weeks, a board member for Voices of Albertans with disabilities based out of Edmonton, says he also comes across the problem.

“I’ve come across numerous instances where they’re inappropriately parked or they’re knocked over,” he said. “So quite frankly, that means that I or anyone else has to quite often go back the way we came in order to find an alternate route.”

Weeks believes e-scooter providers should be held accountable for scooters that are inappropriately left out.

“To be fair they have been fairly open in terms of their efforts and wanting to do the right thing in the past but clearly we’re still having challenges so we need to work together to find a better solution,” he said.

Both Weeks and Hehr add that if someone comes across a scooter blocking a sidewalk or path, picking it up and moving it aside will be very helpful.

“I’ll be grateful, many people experiencing the neighbourhood in a wheelchair or a scooter will also thank you,” Hehr said.