Riding Rules, OTTAWA

Last updated 6 April 2021

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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 can result in a suspension or termination of your account. 

1. RESPONSIBLE RIDING

1.1 To ride our scooters you must:

1.1.1 be at least 16 years of age and if under 18, have the consent of a parent or legal guardian;

1.1.2 be in good health;

1.1.3 not be under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, drugs, medication, or any other substance that may impair your ability to operate the scooter safely and in a manner that is considerate to pedestrians, cyclists and all other road and sidewalk users;

1.1.4 not have any existing physical, mental, medical or other condition that may impair your ability to safely operate the scooters;

1.1.5 keep under the scooter’s weight limit of 140kg ;

1.1.6 not carry cargo whilst operating the scooter;

1.1.7 wear an approved bicycle helmet that is securely fitted at all times if you are under 18 years old, and if 18 or over consider carefully our very strong advice to wear a helmet (unless an exemption has been granted by an appropriate authority for medical or religious reasons);

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

1.1.9 be the only rider (never allow someone else to ride your scooter);

1.1.10 not carry passengers, including but not limited to other adults, children, infants (in baby carriers or otherwise), animals including pets and service animals etc.;

1.1.11 not use any phone, tablet, laptop, smartwatch, music player, or mobile electronic device while riding;

1.1.12 not use any device that may distract the user from safely operating the scooter;

1.1.13 not use headphones, earphones, earbuds, a headset, or other listening device while riding, or otherwise impede your ability to observe and pay attention to your surroundings;

1.1.14 not ride in adverse weather conditions, including but not limited to 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;

1.1.15 not use the scooter for racing, tricks, stunts, or in any other manner other than for personal transport; and

1.1.16 abide by all applicable traffic rules, and any other relevant laws and regulations (federal, provincial, local or otherwise).

2. STARTING AND ENDING A TRIP

2.1 Before starting a trip:

2.1.1 inspect the scooter for defects;

2.1.2 test the brakes, both mechanical and electric;

2.1.3 test the lights;

2.1.4 test the horn;

2.1.5 test the throttle;

2.1.6 wear a helmet (whether provided by Neuron or otherwise) and other personal protective equipment as necessary and as mandated in your jurisdiction; and

2.1.7 ensure that you can adopt a comfortable riding position on the scooter.

Do not use the scooter if it does not pass the above tests, or is otherwise unsuitable for operation.

2.2 When ending a trip:

2.2.1 park the scooter in a safe and responsible way, having regard for other sidewalk users;

2.2.2 you must park in a designated parking area indicated on the Neuron app or, where there is none available, within the furniture zone (being the portion of the sidewalk adjacent to the roadside curb edge), provided that (wherever possible) you do not park the scooter:

a) less than 0.3 metres from the roadside curb edge; or 

b) in such a manner that it restricts the width of a clear pedestrian path of travel to less than 2 metres;

2.2.3 do not park outside the service area or in any designated no-parking zones indicated in the Neuron app;

2.2.4 do not park the scooter on roads or in areas that could block public amenities or hinder access to tactile ground surface indicators or accessibility parking zones;

2.2.5 do not park the scooter where it may cause an obstruction, including in common corridors, doorways, entrances, emergency exits, stairwells, etc.;

2.2.6 deploy the kickstand and ensure the scooter is upright;

2.2.7 do not park the scooter in restricted public areas;

2.2.8 do not park the scooter within restricted access private areas which will prevent other users from accessing the scooter (e.g. within a condominium compound, within a commercial property, within a school compound, inside a residential property);

2.2.9 do not park the scooter where doing so would be in breach of applicable traffic rules, and any other relevant laws and regulations (federal, provincial, local or otherwise);

2.2.10 return the scooter in the same condition as when you started the trip, normal wear and tear permitting; and

2.2.11 If you used a helmet provided by Neuron for the trip:

a) for a scooter and helmet fitted with a helmet lock, return the helmet to the locking mechanism fitted to the scooter and make sure it is locked securely (if this is not done you may be charged a replacement fee when you end your trip); or

b) for a scooter and helmet not fitted with a helmet lock, clip the helmet to the scooter’s handlebars using the helmet strap.

3. DURING A TRIP

3.1 While riding in Ottawa:

3.1.1 always obey applicable laws and road rules;

3.1.2 do not ride in a dangerous or reckless manner, stay vigilant and keep a look out for hazards;

3.1.3 do not ride on a sidewalk. Violation may be subject to $150 fine by the City of Ottawa;

3.1.4 you may ride on multi-use pathways, cycle tracks and bicycle lanes;

3.1.5 you may ride on a road provided that:

a) you ride in bicycle lanes where provided;

b) the road has a speed limit 50 km/h or less;

3.1.6 where bicycle lanes are not provided on a road, you may only ride:

a) if there is a shoulder on the road and you keep as far right as possible; or

b) if there is no shoulder on the road, on the right side of the roadway as close to the edge as possible.

3.1.7 do not ride in a park where cycling, skateboarding or rollerblading is prohibited;

3.1.8 do not ride on or along a pedestrian mall;

3.1.9 remain in a standing position at all times;

3.1.10 you may stay on your scooter to cross a road at a designated crossing;

3.1.11 ride in a safe and respectful manner and be considerate and watch out for others, especially pedestrians, and ride at a speed that does not put other road or path users at risk;

3.1.12 comply with all applicable curfews and any other riding restrictions imposed by relevant authorities or by Neuron;

3.1.13 do not cause nuisance, distraction, or inconvenience to other road or path users;

3.1.14 stick to paved surfaces at all times—do not go on grass, broken ground or other soft surfaces;

3.1.15 if choosing between alternative routes using a road or pathway always consider local conditions and choose a route that is safest for you and other road or path users;

3.1.16 when approaching a crossing or intersection, slow down and be prepared to stop;

3.1.17 when at a crossing or intersection, stop and look for on-coming traffic or pedestrians before proceeding;

3.1.18 travel at a safe speed that allows you to stop safely to avoid colliding with a pedestrian or vehicle and comply with any low-speed zones that may be enforced where you are riding;

3.1.19 travel at a safe distance from a pedestrian or vehicle so you can avoid a collision;

3.1.20 you must give way to both pedestrians and drivers of mobility devices (such a wheelchairs) at all times;

3.1.21 stay off all controlled-access roadways or expressways, freeways, motorways or highways;

3.1.22 observe all relevant local speed limits, slow down if necessary:

3.1.23 keep a look out for traffic signs, and obey them;

3.1.24 do not ride past a personal mobility devices prohibited sign or enter an area where scooters (or personal mobility devices) are prohibited;

3.1.25 keep to the right on roads, shared paths and cycling paths;

3.1.26 keep right of oncoming bicycles and other personal mobility devices;

3.1.27 only use the bicycle side of a shared path;

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

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

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 The customer support team will ask a number of questions 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.  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. OTHER RESTRICTIONS

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

5.2 Do not fail to pay usage or other fees and charges as they become due.

5.3 Do not convey the scooter in a vehicle or otherwise transport the scooter other than by riding it.

5.4 Do not ride or transport the scooter outside of the designated riding areas.

5.5 Do not prevent or obstruct other users from using the scooter after completing a ride (e.g. by locking the scooter with an external device).

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