Riding Rules, Lethbridge

Last updated 7 April 2022

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 and electric bicycles (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.

1. RESPONSIBLE RIDING

To ride our vehicles you must:

1.1 be at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in your province;

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 other safety equipment as appropriate, including but not limited to covered footwear;

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 120kg for bicycle and 140kg for scooter (total weight, i.e. rider and cargo);

1.8 not be carrying 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, 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, or in any other manner other than for personal transport.

2. STARTING AND ENDING A TRIP

2.1 TO START:

2.1.1 inspect the vehicle

        • test the brakes, lights, horn, throttle, pedals and chain for bicycle;

2.1.2 wear safety equipment

        • wear a helmet and other personal protective equipment as necessary and as mandated in your jurisdictionat all times, unless an exemption has been granted by an appropriate authority for medical or religious reason); and

2.1.3 adjust riding position

        • adopt a 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:

2.1.1 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;

2.3 PARKING

2.3.1 park only in the designated parking areas indicated in the Neuron App (for scooters, park upright beside the bicycle parking stands where possible);

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

2.3.3 DO NOT park the vehicle:

a) on a crosswalk or on any part of a crosswalk;

b) within 5 meters of the nearside of a marked crosswalk, or on the approach to stop or yield sign, or of any fire hydrant;

c) within 1.5 meters of an access to a garage, private road or driveway, or or a vehicle crossway over a sidewalk;

d) at any place where a ‘No Bicycle” and/or “No Parking” signs are posted;

e) in areas where it may cause an obstruction or hinder access, including to doorways, entrances, stairwells, emergency exits, fire hydrants, bus or train stations or tactile ground surface indicators, etc.;

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

g) on private land, or property that has been clearly marked as such, without the permission of the owner;

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

Each instance of improper parking in breach of these Riding Rules may incur parking infraction fee imposed by the City of Lethbridge.

3. DURING A TRIP

While riding in Lethbridge, observe the following DOs and DON’Ts :

3.1 DO:

3.1.1 always obey applicable laws, road rules and City by-laws;

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

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

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

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

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

On the road

3.1.7 you may ride on multi-use and/or designated pathways, bicycle lanes and roadways with lower speed limits and lower traffic volumes, or wherever there are no signs prohibit its use (for scooters only, you may ride on empty sidewalks);

3.1.8 where a pathway is established for bicycles beside a roadway, you must, use the pathway when practical to do so;

3.1.9 ride as close as practicable to the right curb, or the left curb if on a one-way street;

3.1.10 give way to both pedestrians and drivers of mobility devices (such as wheelchairs) at all times;

3.1.11 if you are entering a roadway without traffic control, give way to any vehicle or pedestrian on the roadway;

3.1.12 to cross a roadway at a crosswalk you must:

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

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

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

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

3.1.14 use the bell to alert others when passing.

3.2 DON’T:

3.2.1 ride in a dangerous or reckless manner;

3.2.2 ride in a cemetery;

3.2.3 ride on any sidewalk or boulevard unless sign permit its use;

3.2.4 ride on a roadway, park or other public place where signs prohibit its use;

3.2.5 ride on a highway or public place when the roadway is icy, slippery or dangerous for travel;

3.2.6 ride on the main roadway of Mayor Magrath Drive between 3rd and 24th Avenues South;

3.2.7 ride on the Crowsnest Trail from 28th Street South to a point 400 meters West of Scenic Drive;

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

4. WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT

4.1 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.

4.2 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.

4.3 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.

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

4.5 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.

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

5. OTHER RESTRICTIONS

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

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

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

5.4 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).

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

5.6 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 also 2.2 When ending a trip)

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