Business Culture and Craft (SEC.

012)

Business and Culture and Craft (SEC. 012)

TEAM SPARROW

FINAL REPORT
PROJECT RESEARCH ON E-SCOOTER PILOT PROGRAM

November 7, 2023

Submitted by: Sparrow Team

Definition of an Electronic Scooter

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An electric kick-scooter (e-scooter) is a vehicle that has:

· two wheels (one at the front and one at the back)
· a platform to stand on
· a handlebar for steering
· an electric motor that does not exceed 500 watts
· a maximum speed of 24 km/h on a level surface
·
E-scooters come in different styles, weights and speed capabilities.

ONTARIO LAW & POLICIES ON ELECTRIC SCOOTER

In 2020, Ontario launched an Electric Scooter pilot program. Cities like Mississauga,
Ottawa and Windsor have all adopted ride-share programs and privately-owned e-
scooters on their streets.
Ontario’s e-scooter pilot program allows municipalities to choose where and how e-
scooters may be used.
The pilot is running from January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2025.

The pilot program sets out requirements for:

· helmets
· minimum age for riders
· weight and speed restrictions
Municipalities that choose to allow e-scooters are responsible for:
· where e-scooters may be operated (for example, on roads and bike paths, in
parks and on trails)
· where e-scooters may park
· whether a business permit or license is required for e-scooter companies
· whether insurance is required (the type and coverage)
· how people can give feedback on e-scooter use in their municipality
· other considerations relevant to the use of e-scooters in the municipality

Municipalities that want to allow e-scooters to operate on their roads must pass bylaws
to permit their use and set out specific requirements based on what is best for their
communities.
The municipal guidelines outline best practices for municipalities participating in the pilot
program.

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Municipalities must inform the Ministry of Transportation that they are participating in the
pilot, by contacting REO@ontario.ca. Municipalities are also required to investigate all
collisions involving e-scooters on their roads and provide written reports, including the
details of each collision, to the ministry.

Requirements

E-scooter requirements
E-scooters allowed under the pilot must have:
· a maximum speed of 24 km/h on a level surface
· a maximum weight of 45 kg
· a maximum power output of 500 watts
· two wheels and brakes
· a horn or bell
· at least one white light on front, one red light on rear and reflective material on
sides
· a maximum wheel diameter of 17 inches
E-scooters must not have:
· pedals
· a seat
· a basket

Operator requirements
To operate an e-scooter under the terms of the pilot you must:
· be at least 16 years old
· stand at all times while riding
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· wear a bicycle helmet if under 18 years old

You are not permitted to:
· carry passengers
· carry cargo
· operate an e-scooter on controlled access highways (for example, 400-series
highways, QEW, etc.)
Other requirements
Similar to bicycles, all Highway Traffic Act rules of the road apply when riding e-
scooters. Penalties will also apply to violations of the pilot regulation (fine of $250 to
$2,500).

TORONTO LAW & POLICIES ON ELECTRIC SCOOTER

Cycling is one of the fastest growing transportation modes in Toronto. The City is
working to make travel by bike safer and more inviting, which helps ease congestion on
streets and transit, creates a cleaner environment, and promotes physical activity. The
City supports cycling by building and maintaining infrastructure such as bike lanes and
multi-use trails, installing bike parking facilities, distributing bike network maps, and
carrying out other campaigns and projects to promote cycling confidence and safe road
use behavior.
Growing, expanding and enhancing the cycling network also contributes to the City’s
Vision Zero Road Safety goals, by providing a safe and dedicated space for people
cycling, and thus protecting vulnerable road users.

Ostensibly, electric scooters have been banned in Toronto since 2021, when city
council voted not to allow them in public places over safety and accessibility concerns.
However, enforcement is low. The city acknowledges it doesn’t have the resources to
police e-scooter use, and riders can be spotted buzzing along roads and bike lanes any
day of the week.
Toronto’s policy is at odds with other Ontario cities that are embracing e-scooters as
active transportation to cut down on car trips and the pollution they create.

Toronto chose not to partake in the pilot project, largely because of concerns raised by
the disability community about e-scooters being ridden and littered on the sidewalk. As
a result, e-scooters are not for rent in Toronto, and cannot lawfully be operated in public
space. Nevertheless, many individuals own and use them on city streets, sidewalks,
bike lanes, etc..

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As of September 2023, there still have not been any changes to the legal status of
riding an electric scooter in Toronto.

The City Staff report indicated that the City and Police lack the resources to enforce a
ban. If you’re riding safely, wearing a helmet and avoiding sidewalks, you should be
fine.

SOURCES

 Electric kick-style scooters (e-scooters). (n.d.). ontario.ca.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/electric-kick-style-scooters-e-scooters

 Segway of Ontario. (n.d.). Are electric scooters legal to ride in Toronto?

https://segwayofontario.com/pages/are-electric-kickscooters-legal-to-ride-in-
toronto#:~:text=While%20it%20is%20technically%20illegal,is%20little%20to
%20no%20enforcement.

 https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-
237443.pdf

 https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/
cycling-in-toronto/

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