Transportation | Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Self-propelled vehicle usage - e-Scooters

Off-highway vehicle usage

Parking

Pedestrian safety

Transit

Vehicle for hire

Electric Scooters, e-Scooters

The new Roads and Transportation Bylaw No. 25/020 was brought before Council at the end of June and was passed on July 8, 2025. The bylaw is now aligned with current Provincial legislation and enforcement standards while providing the Municipality with updated enforcement, education, and compliance tools.

While e-scooter use has previously been prohibited in public spaces in the region, the new bylaw clarifies these laws and addresses the increase of public safety concerns related to e-scooters. The new bylaw also provides clarity on the fines and penalties for illegal e-scooter use.

In Wood Buffalo, e-scooters are not allowed in any public space, including public roads, sidewalks, multi-use trails, or greenspaces. A $500 fine may be issued for illegal use, or possible impoundment. Any enforcement action is intended to ensure the safety of everyone who uses our sidewalks, pathways, and trails in Wood Buffalo.

Roads And Transportation Bylaw No. 25/020

Why can I ride an e-scooter in other Alberta municipalities, but not here?

In Alberta, e-scooter rules vary depending on where you live and whether you're riding a shared or a privately-owned device. Some municipalities have exemptions from the Traffic Safety Act to allow the use of shared e-scooters. Private e-scooter use is still largely prohibited in Alberta, except for on private property. In the RMWB, the provincial Traffic Safety Act prohibits all e-scooter use on streets, highways and sidewalks. There are no exemptions. The municipality has no authority to allow the use of e-scooters on roadways and sidewalks. The Province is exploring amending the Traffic Safety Act to accommodate the daily use of personal e-scooters, but amendments have not been approved yet.

The Municipal Road and Transportation Bylaw incorporates provincial Traffic Safety Act laws on e-scooters and clarifies rules to support education and compliance.

Why is personal e-scooter use not allowed on roadways and sidewalks?

All motor vehicles on a public roadway requires possession of a valid driver’s licence, motor vehicle registration, and insurance, which is not available for e-scooters operators.

Personal e-scooters do not have the same level of device regulation as shared e-Scooters - many can travel at speeds over 50 km/h.

Operating an e-scooter on sidewalks and roadways is dangerous to e-scooter users and other sidewalk users.

Why is personal e-scooter use not allowed on neighbourhood trails?

The Municipal Roads and Transportation Bylaw is aligned with the Provincial Traffic Safety Act which prohibits the use of personal e-scooters. Trail networks are accessed through sidewalks and roadways.

Why can’t the municipality enact safety regulations that might allow the safer use of e-scooters?

Only the province has this authority. The municipality does not have the authority to permit e-scooters on public streets.

Why are personal e-scooters allowed to be sold in Alberta?

The Municipality has no authority to regulate what is sold online or in stores.

Why are e-bikes allowed but not e-scooters?

E-bikes or electric bikes are considered “power bicycles” under the Provincial Traffic Safety Act. The basic rules are included in the Government of Alberta Small Vehicle Booklet.

Approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet is required.

Operators must be at least 12 years old. Anyone under 16 years old must have parental consent and is not permitted to carry passengers.

E-bikes are not permitted on municipal sidewalks - their use is allowed on the right side of roadways. Ride as far to the right side as practicable.

Why can I ride my OHV in Abasand as part of the OHV Pilot Project, but not my e-scooter?

Operators of OHVs on a municipal road in Abasand requires a class 5 license, registration, and insurance. Licensing, registration and insurance are not available for e-Scooters in Alberta.

Self-Propelled Vehicle Usage

A self-propelled vehicle means any vehicles propelled by human power on which a person may has, for example bicycles, scooter, skateboard, etc.

We care about the safety of our residents, so before you ride, make sure you are knowledgeable about how to operate your self-propelled vehicle as well as the rules pertaining to its use.

Any person operating a self-propelled vehicle on any trail will:

Be in control of the movement of the self- propelled vehicle
Yield the right-of-way to all other users
Ride to the right hand side of the trail
Equip the self-propelled vehicle with brakes, a bell or horn, and a head lamp and tail lamp

Any person operating a self-propelled vehicle on any trail will not:

Ride to the side of another self-propelled vehicle traveling in the same direction except when passing the other self-propelled vehicle
Use the self-propelled vehicle to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it was designed

All riders and passengers must wear a properly secured safety helmet.

Off-Highway Vehicle Usage

Off-highway vehicles (OHV) are widely used in the Municipality; their safe use should be a priority for operators, their passengers and pedestrians. An off-highway vehicle is any vehicle designated for cross-country travel on land, water, snow, ice, marsh or swamp land or on other natural terrain. This includes motorcycles and minibikes, snow vehicles and all- terrain vehicles.

Operation of an OHV is prohibited on public property within the boundaries of Fort McMurray, except on municipal roads in Abasand. There are designated OHV staging areas along the outskirts of Fort McMurray.

Be aware of the dangers of OHV use and practice safe riding at all times. An OHV is only as safe as the person operating it – use good judgment and courtesy, wear appropriate protective gear and maintain your vehicle. OHV users are expected
to follow the same regulations and laws as other motorized vehicle drivers.

View a map of the designated staging areas or get more information on OHV rules and regulations at rmwb.ca/OHV.

Off-Highway Vehicle Bylaw No. 98/078

Parking

It’s safe to say no one enjoys getting a parking ticket. The Municipality takes safety very seriously. Parking standards are in place to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians. Parking regulations in Fort McMurray are extensive and can be confusing to some, so below is an overview of the information you need to know to avoid being ticketed and towed.

Unless otherwise identified, instructed by a Bylaw Officer, or to avoid conflict with other traffic, no person shall stop or park a vehicle:

Within ten metres of an intersection, stop sign, yield sign, or crosswalk
Within five metres of any fire hydrant
Within a Fire Zone or Transit Zone
On a sidewalk or boulevard
Facing oncoming traffic
On any bridge
Within one and one-half metres of access to a garage, private road or driveway, or a vehicle crossway over a sidewalk
If a “No Parking” or “Street Maintenance” sign is posted
Without moving a vehicle parked on-street for over 48 hours

If you have any questions that are unanswered about parking, contact PULSE.

Roads And Transportation Bylaw No. 25/020

Pedestrian Safety

Pedestrian safety is very important, here are some tips to help avoid accidents or injuries:

Make sure to be visible to drivers at all times.
Wear lightly coloured or reflective clothing at night and brightly coloured clothing during the day.
Make eye contact with drivers in stopped and approaching vehicles to ensure they see you before you cross in front of them.
Put your phone away when walking or crossing the street.
Don’t wear headphones - your ears can tell you a lot about what is happening around you.
Know and follow all traffic rules, signs, and signals. Being aware of the rules that vehicles must follow allows you to anticipate what drivers will do.
Never assume that a driver will give you the right of way.
Use crosswalks when crossing the street.
Stay on sidewalks whenever possible. If a sidewalk is not available, walk on the side of the road facing traffic. This will help increase your visibility to drivers.
Avoid walking along highways or other roadways where pedestrians are prohibited.

Transit

Save money and be mindful of the environment by taking municipal transit to destinations in Fort McMurray and some rural communities. For detailed information, rmwb.ca/transit or contact PULSE.

Transit Bylaw

Vehicle for Hire

When using a taxi in the RMWB, you have rights as a passenger to have the best experience possible. As a passenger, you have the right to:

Decide on the route. The taxicab chauffeur shall take the most economical route to a destination unless otherwise requested by you.
Observe the taxi meter. The meter should be illuminated and visible at all times by all passengers.
See the driver’s chauffeur permit and taxi license. A Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo issued taxicab chauffeur permit and taxicab license should be clearly visible to all passengers.
Refuse multiple hiring. A taxicab may carry two or more strangers from a common starting point to one or more destinations if the original hirer agrees.
Ask for a receipt. The chauffeur may not refuse to provide a receipt in the amount of the fare.

As a passenger, you are responsible for:

Paying the correct fare.
Being courteous.
Wearing a seat belt at all times.
Respecting the rules of the road.

Vehicle For Hire Bylaw No. 22/006