Roll Introduces E-scooters in Calgary
In late-May, Roll launched electric scooters onto the streets of Calgary, Alberta. As our second Canadian presence, we are honoured to work with the Calgary community to provide a safe and reliable transportation option during the COVID-19 crisis.
Strong Public Reception
From our ridership data, Roll scooters are clearly making an impact on residents’ essential travels during this time of need. This past week, Roll attracted an overwhelming 1,900+ registrants and 1,000+ rides. Here is a snapshot of some exciting trends that caught our attention:
- People are riding for longer, averaging 15 mins long. This suggests that people are using scooters for more than just first-and-last-mile transportation and taking advantage of our full-city coverage for their socially-distanced and essential travels.
- For some, scooters may have become their main mode of transportation: in our first week, a loyal group of users have used a Roll scooter 4+ times for its flexibility, safety, and ease-of-use. Among 660 unique riders, the vast majority successfully located a nearby scooters with ease, thanks to our constant adjustment of scooter deployment to areas where people need them most. 96 percent of riders also felt comfortable controlling their speed while navigating various parts of the city.
- Most importantly, 91 percent of riders felt safe while riding. With Calgary seeing warmer and longer summer days, scooters can help people enjoy the weather while staggering their time outdoors to keep a safe distance, as shown by a high number of trips later in the day.
- Before Canada’s shelter-in-place order, Roll’s ridership focused on providing first-and-last-mile connectivity for commuters. However, as people choose to ride public transit less often, we’ve instead seen an increase in scooter trips to business improvement areas (like the 17th Ave Retail & Entertainment District!). E-scooters make it convenient for people to get much-needed food and supplies as well as support their local businesses, especially for those without access to a car.
Response to COVID-19
During these unprecedented times, our team is committed to providing riders with a safe way to travel. As such, we are taking extra measures on top of our existing safety protocols in accordance with the Public Health Agency of Canada. These new protocols include:
- Increasing frequency of disinfecting scooters to at least twice daily. Each time a scooter is collected or enters the warehouse, our chargers disinfect the main contact points on the vehicle. Our Patrol Team also disinfects scooters during the day.
- Increasing the number of cleaning supplies and personal protection equipment (PPE) for our staff. Employees are supplied with single-use face masks every shift and must wear face shields and gloves all the time during shifts.
However, safety is a shared responsibility — it is critical for riders to take the appropriate safety precautions before, during, and after their trip. We highly recommend following the steps outlined by the Alberta Health Service’s COVID-19 Health Advisory and Calgary Shared Electric Scooter Pilot. The best way to prevent infection is by following these personal hygiene measures:
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after your trip, and to avoid touching your face during your trip.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and wash your hands.
- If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm.
Please aware that these measures do not guarantee that all scooters will be 100% clean at all times, given that vehicles are regularly in use and exposed to the environment. To minimize risk, we strongly recommend cleaning the scooter’s handlebars with a pre-moistened disinfectant wipe.
Roll’s “#WeCare” Initiative
As shared e-scooter operators, we have an obligation to regularly clean and disinfect our vehicles to provide safe trips. That’s why we are proud to launch Roll’s #WeCare” and we are inviting all operators to join our online discussion on Twitter at @WeCare_Movement. By joining forces, we can actively raise the bar on how we serve the cities we operate in.
Heroes Without Capes Program
Our public healthcare professionals are our true heroes without capes. If you are a healthcare professional living in Calgary, Roll is proud to offer you a pass for free 30-minute rides and helmets every day by simply filling out this form.
Starting in Calgary, we are excited to demonstrate how micromobility can play a critical role in helping cities build resilience in times of crisis. The challenge we face today is COVID-19, but flexible transportation options will remain key to preserving mobility and access to essential goods and services.
If you need help or support, we are here for you. Please reach out to us at support@rollscooters.com.
