E-Bike and Scooter Safety

I do not believe licenses are currently required. There is a large hole in the "rules" involving E scooters and bikes. The products have speed limiters, which are often overruled. legally, you must be 16 or older to use an e-scooter, and helmets are required under 18. Over 18, they are "suggested" . Parents should strongly reconsider purchasing these for their kids, and if they choose to purchase them, must also purchase appropriate head protection. But we know some parents won't, and some riders will ride in an irresponsible manner.

E bikes and scooters are not allowed on Municipal property. On roadways, they are a risk to the users and drivers. On sidewalks they are a risk to pedestrians. In bike lanes, they also post a risk to pedal bike riders.

Municipalities have the option to "opt -in" and establish bylaws which can ban use of scooters and bikes on municipal property (including roads, trails, sidewalks), but generally, these are Provincial issues, and Municipalities do not have the power to issue license requirements.

Many E bike users do so to commute to and from their employment and operate the items in a responsible manner.

This is a complicated issue in that the products arrived quickly and before thoughtful legislation could be established.

Establishing a license will be

E-bikes and scooters go too fast — I don't like them at all. Parents need to be held accountable when the rider is under 16, and riders over 16 should be fined and treated like any other motor vehicle breach. We need more police enforcement on these.

Hi there. Thanks for the question. The current council had approved a zero tolerance policy for ALL motorized e-bikes and e-scooters in New Tecumseth.

E-Scooters are banned entirely from all streets, sidewalks and trails. No exceptions.

E-Bikes (unmodified) are banned from sidewalks, in-boulevard multi-use trails and parks, but permitted on roads and bicycle lanes so long as the rider meets the minimum requirements, including being over 16 years old, wearing a helmet, and keeping the device in good repair.

There is little that council can do to prevent parents, grandparents or users in general from buying these devices in the first place. Often they are purchased and delivered through websites. All we can do is enforce our rules and regulations, report sitings to the non-emergency line at the OPP and provide continued public education.

During 2027 Budget deliberations we can also advocate for signage, and dedicated police enforcement campaigns, as well as more education in schools and letters home to parents advising them not to buy these devices as they cannot be ridden in new Tec.

The conversation will continue on this, I promise.

Council has engaged with OPP multiple times regarding e-scooters. Most recently we passed a motion asking OPP to do a blitz for education and enforcement. Our bylaw department doesnt have the ability to pull over vehicles/scooters. I will be discussing this issue with OPP again as soon as the new council is elected. I agree we need more regulations which should come from the Province so engaging with our MPP is necessary as well. Thanks for the question.

If they have no pedals, they’re considered a motor vehicle and will be charged according to the motor vehicle act. Which means you need a drivers license and you need insurance. If they have pedals then they’re considered a bike, but you have a maximum speed limit allowed. Electric scooters do not have pedals therefore they are a motor vehicle.

I think at some point these modes of transportation will be legal with a driver’s license. The first thing we need to do is keep them off our sidewalks and we need to improve our view for motor vehicles when they come to stop signs because the scooters are hard to spot when they’re travelling at 40 km an hour on a sidewalk.

Safety concerns require actions.

Ontario laws require riders to be aged 16 or older, wear an approved helmet and follow the same rules of the road as other cyclists.

You can not ride on municipal roads, sidewalks, bike paths where prohibited etc.

Laws and Bylaws are in place. On a related side note, we have laws prohibiting handheld devices while driving; but it happens too often.

Teenagers and children test boundaries which they identify by observing the adults around them.

So we need to bring the consequences to the parents so the are able to take corrective action. We are all responsible for the examples that we are and can show good behavior or the results of poor choices. Adults have to be grown up and not expect the government to teach responsible behaviors.

Where the adults (parents) are allowing risk, there are corrective measures that can be taken.

But before we criticize we must examine the options. How do we expect the kids to get around? Without busses or safe paths to use, just crossing the street is a risky exercise.

We need to give them a better way to get to places safely. Please share any ideas you have on how we can do it better. Accessible transportation that works in all seasons.