Where should people be allowed to ride e-scooters in Waterloo Region?

This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s):

What is this project about?

Effective January 1, 2020, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) launched a new, five-year pilot to permit Electric Kick Scooters (e-scooters) on roads (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/vehicles/electric/electric-scooters.shtml).

The province outlined that it is up to municipalities to pass by-laws to permit the use of e-scooters locally and determine where they can and cannot operate.

What is an e-scooter?

E-scooters have battery-powered motors with a platform for your feet and are steered with waist-high handlebars. This MTO pilot project does not address mobility/accessibility scooters, e-bikes, or electric mopeds.

MTO e-scooter rules can be found in the documents under the "Ontario E-scooter Pilot Program" tab under the Photo Gallery and include:

• E-scooter maximum speed: 24 km/hr
• Minimum rider age: 16 years old (bike helmets required 16-18)
• No passengers allowed
• Must have brakes, horn/bell, front white light, and rear red light

The Region of Waterloo and the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo want your input on where people should be allowed to ride an e-scooter in our community.

Staff from the Region of Waterloo and Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo have prepared several options for permitting e-scooters locally. These options range from nowhere (i.e., not permitted in Waterloo Region) to anywhere a bike can go (i.e., any path or roadway other than controlled-access highways).

Your responses will help inform staff reports to City and Regional Councils on if and where personally-owned e-scooters can be ridden in Waterloo Region. Based on the decision of the respective councils, staff will also consider requirements for e-scooter rental companies (scooter-share) that wish to operate in our community.

Please note that the Region and Cities will follow MTO best practice and will not permit sidewalk riding in any scenario. Riding e-scooters on sidewalks can create accessibility issues and presents a greater risk of injury for pedestrians and persons with disabilities.

Typical E-scooter Design