Cold Lake city council will be reaching out to the Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors to inquire about potential regulations concerning modern mobility aids.
The decision comes after a growing number of reports about small, enclosed transportation units, like the Gio, being driven on the Millennium Trail and roadways, raising concerns about safety and proper usage.
“Mobility aids have come a long way since the traffic laws were created,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “Some of them are designated to look like small cars, but they don’t follow the same rules as cars.”
At nearly two meters long and 1.3 meters wide, the Gio closely resembles a Smart Car but is classified as an enclosed mobility aid. Fully battery-operated, with a maximum speed of 29 km/h, the Gio does not require a driver’s license, insurance, or registration and is legally considered a pedestrian under current laws. This means it is allowed on trails, sidewalks, and roadways, much like a person walking.
However, concerns have been raised about the impact of these vehicles on shared public spaces. “People walking and biking are getting honked at by these tiny vehicles, and forced off to the side, which isn’t what we want to hear,” Copeland explained, referring to reports of Gio vehicles driving on the popular Millennium Trail. “It could be compared to something like a golf cart. It doesn’t go very fast, but it’s still almost 700 pounds barreling down the trail.”
The council is particularly concerned about safety, noting that while the Gio and other similar devices don’t move as fast as cars, their weight and presence on shared paths could pose a danger. “We’re starting to see a handful of them around, and if an accident or collision were to occur, there’s a lot of loose ends as to how it could be resolved,” said Copeland.
The discussion also touched on other equipment, such as Class III electric bikes and scooters, which can exceed speeds of 30 km/h. Unlike mobility aids, these vehicles are not governed by speed restrictions, adding further complexity to the issue.
Before moving forward with any municipal regulations, council’s Corporate Priorities Committee recommended writing to the Ministry of Transportation to seek clarity on whether the provincial government is planning to update legislation to address these evolving technologies. “We want to know if the Government of Alberta is working on updating the legislation for these kinds of devices,” Copeland said. “Before we start making any decisions ourselves, we are hoping the province will take a lead.”
While the city of Cold Lake has the ability to regulate the use of these devices through updates to its Off-highway Vehicle and Traffic Bylaws, the council is waiting for provincial guidance before considering local measures.
