Scooter options increase in Alberta

By John Hopkins

The door has been opened for riders as young as 14 years old to take to the streets on scooters in Alberta.

Provincial regulations were recently changed that reclassify the smallest scooters as mopeds, meaning they can be ridden by anyone as young as 14 with a Class 7 learner's permit. The change was made to bring the province's licencing in line with national standards.

"Prior to this change, Alberta had different definitions than Transport Canada, which meant when you went out to buy a moped, you most likely didn't come back with a vehicle that complied with Alberta's regulations," said Harry Parenteau, vehicle safety engineer with Alberta Transportation, in an article in the July 2 Calgary Herald. "You couldn't actually buy one that met the standard. So after the change in regulation happens, people who bought these vehicles and registered the mopeds will be all OK."

Previously small scooters were classified as motorcycles because they generally weigh more than 55 kg. But in changing the regulation the province removed the weight restriction.

"I think this is an excellent way of starting young riders out in the motorsport industry, and I applaud it wholeheartedly--and that's not just because I'm in the industry. I grew up in Alberta, and when I was 14, you used to be able to ride 100 ccs or less and you learned how to ride," said Don McKellar, president of the Okotoks, AB-based Go 4 It Sales in the Herald article. "I rode dirt bikes and you fell down and skinned your knees and you get up and realized that you're mortal, you're not invincible and there are consequences to bad decisions. You learned not to make bad decisions."

The move is also expected to encourage scooter use by city residents of all ages looking for convenient commuting options.