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Kelowna is one of the best summer vacation spots in BC and Canada. This city sees around 1.8 million tourists visit every year (according to Kelowna Tourism) meaning it can be frustrating trying to navigate the busy streets. This means knowing how to get around Kelowna without a car is so important during your visit. Kelowna is built in a valley and is a very bike friendly city. Luckily, you have many good options to get around Kelowna without a car.

Interested in Kelowna? Check out why you should visit now!

Companies in Kelowna have taken advantage of the ride-sharing trend that has skyrocketed around the world and the high gasoline prices. There are two main companies that offer electric scooters and e-bikes for you to rent. They are relatively inexpensive and incredibly convenient – if you can find one around you that is.

What are the options for getting around Kelowna without a car?

Kelowna has a few different options to get around the city without paying the high gas price. The most interesting and fun option is the electric scooters and bikes that are scattered around Kelowna. Sure you can take the bus ($2.50 will get you pretty much anywhere you want to go), or walk, but you’ll be missing out on the exhilarating experience of riding a scooter or ebike in the summer. There are a few companies that have different ways of getting around Kelowna.

Lime’s website states that “Lime is the world’s largest shared electric vehicle company.”. This company has found a home in “more than 200 cities in nearly 30 countries on five continents.”.

Their four main core principals include: safety, sustainability, community, and innovation. Lime’s website makes it clear that this company is focused on their customers and our planet making your decision to ride with them a good one.

You won’t be able to miss this scooter and bike rental place in Kelowna. Lime has electric scooters and e-bikes all over Kelowna that are ready for you to jump on and ride. These scooters are bright white and green in colour.

Unfortunately, Spin is no longer available in Kelowna.

This company has been around since 2017 and its headquarters is in San Francisco. According to its website, Spin is in more than 70 “cities and campuses around the globe” with the majority of its locations in the United States. Their blog has 33 pages of articles ranging from calling out jaywalking laws to the company’s stance on the Row vs. Wade ruling in the United States of America.

The Spin website has many videos in different languages to help you throughout your time scootering and cycling. There is even a quiz you can take for a promo code (if you score 100%). You’ll also find information about what you should “know before you go”, “your first ride” and how you can keep yourself and others safe. There is also a “Help Center” where you can find information ranging from “Scooter FAQ’s” to “Parking Rules”.

How To Get Started?

If you’re feeling generous please use our referral code, thanks in advance!

Lime: RQTBV6V (we both receive $3 when you start riding)

It’s so easy to scoot and ride in Kelowna. Honestly, starting your scooter and ebike riding journey is as easy as taking a picture with a smartphone. Each scooter and e-bike has a unique barcode that, when scanned, takes you directly to their company’s app.

Once the app is downloaded and you’ve created an account you are ready to start your journey. Simply walk up to an e-bike or scooter and scan the QR code on the handlebars. This will give you information about the electric vehicle including its range, price and availability. When you’re ready to ride simply click on the reserve or ride button.

Looking for some road trip through BC ideas? Check out our top 8 stops in BC!

How much does it cost to rent a scooter or e-bike in Kelowna?

Renting a scooter in Kelowna is less expensive than you may have thought. Even though buying an electric scooter is expensive, renting one is not. Either company has a similar payment structure. There will be a startup fee and then a charge per minute of use.

Scooter price: $3.50 for first 7 minutes, then $0.35/min + tax

e-bike price: $1 to start, then $0.35/min + tax

Scooter price: $1 to start, $0.35/min + tax and fees

e-bike price: $1 to start, $0.35/min + taxes and fees

How safe are electric scooters and e-bikes?

These scooters for adults are not like the Razor scooters of our childhood. Even though their top speed is limited they are still very fast and agile.

Safety for riders and the public is one of the biggest issues surrounding e-ebikes and e-scooters. If you ask the hospital you’ll quickly find out that injuries are common with the electric ride sharing trend. Every electric scooter and bike comes with a helmet that we recommend wearing for your protection.

If you follow the rules and don’t ride aggressively, or aren’t intoxicated, this is a safe way of getting around Kelowna without a car. Each escooter and ebike is speed regulated in some areas of Kelowna, like downtown and along the waterfront, where there is usually lots of people.

Where can I park the escooter and ebikes in Kelowna?

You can park your scooter rental or bike rental wherever you want, as long as you follow some basic rules.

Lime’s app has these recommendations for parking:

“Help keep sidewalks accessible to all by parking responsibly”
“Parkin a secure, upright position in line with benches, trees, poles, or bike racks.”
“Never block pedestrian travel, entrances, driveways, bus stops, accessibility zones or service ramps.”

The map in Spin’s smartphone application has recommendations on where to park and will even credit your account a small amount if you park in one of their hotspots. These zones are places that have high traffic and will save the company money from relocating their bikes and scooters.

Where can I ride a scooter and ebike in Kelowna?

You are able to ride these fun forms of transportation on streets, bike lanes and some sidewalks. There are areas where the ebikes and escooters will be speed limited and they will let you know of this by making a loud obnoxious noise. You’re also not allowed to ride on the sidewalks and can face a $10 fine if you do. The scooter will beep loudly if it detects that you’re on the sidewalk as well.

The cool thing about the rideshare applications is that they will tell you how much range the scooter or bike has remaining. This allows you to plan your trip without range anxiety.

Where are the best Kelowna scooter and cycling trails?

Kelowna is one of the most beautiful places in the world, in our humble opinion. There are many mind blowing cycling trails that will keep you entertained for hours.

We love the waterfront in downtown Kelowna. It’s usually quite busy in the summer but is definitely worth a ride or scoot.
Abbott Street has a dedicated, tree lined bike and walkway path. You’ll pass many “secret” beach access points that only the locals know exist.
The Mission is one of the hidden gems of Kelowna. It has many amazing places to eat, beaches and parks.
Mission Creek Greenway connects the Mission to West Kelowna. This is one of the most beautiful places in Kelowna. The gravel pathway follows Mission Creek northwest all the way to Orchard Park Mall.

No matter where you decide to ride you will be pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to get around Kelowna without a car or truck.

Have you tried the electric scooters or e-bikes in Kelowna? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!

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In Sustainable Travel

Why You Need To Care About Ecotourism and Sustainable Travel

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Did you know that the United Nations is reporting 1.2 billion international travelers are taking on this big beautiful world every year? This just shows why ecotourism is so important.

That is a stat we can get behind! We love to see as more and more people travel this world experiencing different cultures, stepping out of their comfort zones and making new friends from all different walks of life.

We have a deep respect for the travel industry. As we find ourselves so completely immersed in it we can’t help but appreciate its effects in our world. Not just on a personal but also an economical level as well.

ecotourism, sustainable travel, thailand, beach — We need to do everything we can to protect beaches like this one

We have made friends from literally all over the world and have become completely immersed in all things travel. With work, school – and as our hobby, we have a great understanding of the importance of TRAVELING ETHICALLY. With sustainability on the rise, it is a wonder why people aren’t bringing this concern towards tourism impacts and making a vow to turn to responsible travel.

Too many people think that sustainable tourism is the responsibility of the government, hotels, and tour companies. We know this isn’t the truth. While tourism companies do have the responsibility to create wholesome travel experiences with eco tours we, as travelers, hold a very similar duty.

We love traveling and have huge respect for the travel industry. But, we also know the importance of doing so ethically. Ecotourism and sustainable travel are the responsibility of every single traveler.

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What Is Ecotourism?

You are likely wondering what ecotourism is and “how do I travel sustainably”. Don’t worry, you are not alone. Many people associate traveling sustainably to mean solely the ethical treatment of animals. While this is a great part of it and incredibly important, the concept is much bigger than this.

ecotourism, monkey, baby monkey, monkey forest, bali — A monkey family in Monkey Forest, Bali

Ecotourism focuses on environmental, cultural, and animal welfare.

Environmental factors largely come from the over-consumption of materials. While the gas that is used to get around is worth noting and paying attention to, the real concern comes from the massive consumption of single use items. These include water bottles, take out containers, coffee cups, plastic straws, etc.

From a minimalist standpoint, all the useless purchases made while traveling also take a negative toll on the environment. But it’s not only when you’re traveling. “Disposable” straws have gained notoriety in the news and have created a movement against using them. This is a way you can help the environment in your daily life.

Those cotton elephant pants you wear while walking the streets of Bangkok use an astounding amount of resources to make and are likely going to end up in a landfill sooner rather than later.

ecotourism, guidelines, monkey forest — Monkey forest has rules to protect you and the animals

Every area you visit will have a completely new culture and religion that they hold very close to them. While you may not follow the same thoughts, it is important to consider yourself a guest. Degrading others is not what traveling is about. Instead, using your time abroad to immerse yourself in this culture and gain insight in the why and how behind it can help you to be a much more worldly person.

Animal welfare is incredibly important and perhaps the most talked about area of ethical tourism. It is important to remember that wildlife is meant to be just that: wild. While it may be tempting to get up close and personal with these majestic animals, it leads to a life of slavery for them. The taming practices seen to make these animals suitable for human interaction are incredibly brutal and not worth a simple photo op. It is best to avoid these places to ensure the longevity of these animals.

Read: 6 heartbreaking things to avoid in Bali

Social media, specifically Instagram, has greatly threatened our ability to practice ecotourism. This includes everything from the drive to get that “Instagram worthy” picture by releasing lanterns in Thailand to riding elephants in Africa, or taking an insta story of you bargaining down a new shirt for much less than you know is worthy. The impacts of sustainable tourism can be strong and life changing for many.

How Can You Make A Difference?

As we move to a world where more and more people are limiting their plastic use, it is important to remember that just because you are out of your own country and it may be harder to carry around a refillable bottle, it holds the same importance.

For us, when traveling to Southeast Asia we were incredibly uncomfortable with the amount of water bottle consumption happening around us (us included). We thought this was the norm and simply didn’t even know that there was possibly another way. That is until we saw a water refill station outside one of our hotels in Thailand.

It then became apparent to us that the locals weren’t drinking out of these cheap plastic water bottles like all the tourists were.

There is a way to do it, we were just not trying hard enough.

ecotourism, orphanage, baby, child, family — Samara volunteering in an orphanage in Vietnam

Eco tourism needs to be an active conscious thought while you’re traveling.

It is important to ask yourself whenever you travel how are you making a difference. The tourism sector is amazing for its ability to open your eyes and raise awareness to what is happening in different areas of the world. When visiting there it is important to remember that every dollar you spend is a vote for how you want their economy to run and how you want the world to be. The same is true with your time.

Volunteering is powerful!
Enjoying your meals at local small businesses can make a great difference.
Buying handmade local souvenirs is important.
Not supporting child beggars and instead helping on ground organizations improve the poverty these kids live in will change lives.

You may also like: What it’s like to be vegan

ecotourism, thailand, stores, shops, streetview, street — Where you spend your money is a vote for that practice

Sustainable Holidays: How To Make Your Trip More Ethical

The truth is, everywhere can be a sustainable tourism destination if you make it a priority. Beyond the environmental impacts of tourism, there are many other concerns the tourist sector has regarding sustainability issues.

Responsible tourism is no longer an option. You can no longer claim it to be something you just didn’t think of. As a traveler, you have a responsibility to ensure that you are only making positive impacts on the country and culture in which you are visiting.

How do you practice responsible tourism when you are abroad? Talk to us about it in the comment section below! Also, share with your friends! Together, we can make this world a better place!

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In Sustainable Travel