Riding Rules, Metro Vancouver (Coquitlam) and Vernon (the “Region”)

Last updated 13 December 2023

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 16 years of age and, if under 18 or the age of majority in your province, have the consent of a parent or legal guardian;

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 a helmet and 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 carry 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, computers, 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, towing (either towing or being towed by another person, vehicle, bicycle, or device), or in any other manner other than for personal transport;

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

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 jurisdiction at all times, unless an exemption has been granted by an appropriate authority for medical or religious reason. It is a legal requirement to wear a helmet in the Region; and

2.1.3 adjust riding position

      • adopt a safe and 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:

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

2.3.2 deploy the kickstand and ensure the vehicle is upright with all wheels in contact with the ground;

2.3.3 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.

3. PARKING

3.1 if parking in a Dockless Micromobility Station (scooter parking in downtown Coquitlam):

3.1.1 park the scooter in compliance with the rules in the Neuron App; and

3.1.2 park the scooter in an upright position with all wheels in contact with the ground and in compliance with section 3.3 below.

3.2 if parking elsewhere:

3.2.1 park only in the designated parking areas indicated in the Neuron App; and

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

3.3 DO NOT park the vehicle:

3.3.1 outside the service area, in restricted public areas, or in any designated no-parking zones indicated in the Neuron app;

3.3.2 on roads or in areas that may cause an obstruction or hinder access, including to doorway, entrances, stairwells, emergency exits, fire hydrants, street lights and power poles, bus or train stations, public amenities, tactile ground surface indicators or accessibility parking zones etc.;

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

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

4. DURING A TRIP

While riding in the Region, observe the following rules:

Vernon

4.1 WHERE YOU MAY RIDE

4.1.1 you may ride scooters:

a) at a maximum speed of 20km/h on bike-lanes, multi-use trails and pathways (but must slow down and yield to pedestrians);

b) on any streets where the speed limit is 50 km/h or less;

c) you may ride on roads with speed limits greater than 50 km/h only if there is a bike lane and you ride in that bike lane;

4.1.2 you may ride bicycles in the same places as scooters, but bicycles may not be ridden on sidewalks.

Coquitlam

4.2 WHERE YOU MAY RIDE

4.2.1 you may ride scooters:

a) at a maximum speed of 24 km/h on multi-use paths (MUPs), bike or micromobility lanes (e.g., lanes or areas on roadways specifically designated for bikes and scooters);

b) on any road where the speed limit is 50 km/h or less;

c) on any road where with speed limits greater than 50 km/h only if there is a micromobility lane or MUPs and you ride in the micromobility lane or MUP;

4.2.2 you may ride bicycles in the same places as scooters.

4.3 WHERE YOU MAY NOT RIDE 

4.3.1 you may not ride scooters or bicycles:

a) on sidewalks unless permitted by signs or pavement markings;

b) in city parks, including on park trails or pathways unless permitted by signs or pavement markings; and

c) on any road where the speed limit is over 50 km/h, unless there is a micromobility lane, bike lane or MUPs and you ride in the micromobility lane or MUP.

4.4 DO

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

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

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

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

4.4.5 keep to the right;

4.4.6 use the bell to alert others when passing; 

4.4.7 use hand signals to indicate your movements to pedestrians and pathway users;

4.4.8 yield the right of way (give way to both pedestrians and drivers of mobility devices, such a wheelchairs) at all times;

4.4.9 to cross a roadway at a crosswalk, you must:

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

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

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

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

4.5 DON’T:

4.5.1 ride against the flow of traffic;

4.5.2 for bicycles only, ride on sidewalks (except in case of necessity or authorised to do so by a sign or signal), park or other public place where signs prohibit its use;

4.5.3 ride between two lanes of moving vehicles unless the right lane is reserved for right turns;

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

5. WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT

5.1 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.

5.2 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.

5.3 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.

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

5.5 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. 

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

6. OTHER RESTRICTIONS

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

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

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

6.4 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).

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

6.6 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 2.2.3 To End a trip). 

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