The surge in popularity of electric scooters has not gone unnoticed. In recent years, eco-friendly micro-mobility conveyances such as the e-scooter have become an accepted choice for daily commuters and casual riders, both young and old.
The e-scooter’s appeal is obvious. They are a convenient urban transit option. They are relatively inexpensive, fast, and, let’s face it, fun. It doesn’t take much skill to learn to ride one, and you don’t require vehicle registration or insurance to operate a compliant electric kick-style scooter in Ontario. In some areas, you can even rent them from dockless sharing apps.
However, along with the many positives, there are also some negatives. The explosion in popularity of these battery-powered vehicles has outpaced public policy and local infrastructure, catching many municipalities off guard. In fact, while it is legal to buy and own an e-scooter, you may not be legally permitted to ride it unless your municipality has opted in to the Ontario