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The Victoria City Council will consider whether to allow electric wheelchairs and scooters to use the city's protected bicycle lane network.

In 2017, the city council called on the provincial government to amend the Motor Vehicle Law, which previously defined electric wheelchair and scooter users as pedestrians, thereby prohibiting them from driving on the road.

In response, the government amended the bill in 2019 to allow "motorized personal mobile devices" to be used on prescribed roads.

If approved, Thursday’s motion will allow city staff to work with the British Columbia government to take the next step to allow electric wheelchairs and scooters to enter the bike lane, and report to the city council in January 2022.

Read more: Victoria bike lanes need etiquette guidance, bike shop owner says

The Disability Action Committee said in a letter to the City Council: “Bicycle lanes provide an alternative smooth path and convenience for dating, picking groceries and participating in other daily activities that many people take for granted.” “The use of bicycle lanes also provides It’s a kind of entertainment and improves people’s quality of life."

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The committee noted that other transportation alternatives, such as the BC Transit bus pass and Handy Dart fare, are too costly for people with disabilities who receive a monthly benefit of $1,356.

The motion proposed by councillors Jeremy Loveday and Ben Isitt will be submitted to the full committee on Thursday.