The Town of Tillsonburg is reminding residents that electric kick-style scooters, commonly known as e-scooters, are currently not permitted on municipal roads, sidewalks, trails, parks or other public property within the community.
The Town says it has received inquiries about e-scooter use and wants to clarify the current rules.
An e-scooter is defined by the Province of Ontario as a vehicle with two wheels, a platform for the rider to stand on, handlebars for steering and an electric motor of up to 500 watts. The scooters can have a maximum speed of 24 kilometres per hour on a level surface.
Ontario established an e-scooter pilot program in 2020. However, participation by municipalities is voluntary.
Under the provincial pilot program, a municipality must pass a bylaw formally opting into the program before e-scooters can legally operate on municipal infrastructure.
The Town of Tillsonburg has not passed such a bylaw, and Town Council has not yet considered or approved participation in the pilot program.
As a result, the Town says e-scooters have never been authorized for use on public property in Tillsonburg.
Ontario's pilot program allows participating municipalities to determine whether e-scooters are appropriate for their communities and, if approved, where they can be operated and parked. The program also establishes requirements involving vehicle specifications, rider age, speed limits, lighting and safety equipment.
Municipalities that participate must pass local bylaws and provide operational and safety information to the Province.
Mayor Deb Gilvesy said the Town wants residents to clearly understand that the current situation does not represent a recent change to the rules.
“We want residents to understand that this is not a case of the Town changing the rules.”
Gilvesy said the provincial pilot framework requires municipalities to formally opt in and establish local rules by bylaw before e-scooters can be used on municipal infrastructure.
Until that process is considered and any necessary local rules are established, she said, e-scooters remain prohibited on Tillsonburg's municipal roads, sidewalks, trails and public spaces.
The Town also wants residents to understand that owning or purchasing an e-scooter does not make it legal to operate one on public property in Tillsonburg.
Use of e-scooters in public spaces remains subject to enforcement by the Ontario Provincial Police and municipal bylaw enforcement officers.
The Town says individuals who do not comply with applicable provincial regulations, the Highway Traffic Act or municipal bylaws may be subject to fines or other penalties.
Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with provincial regulations and municipal bylaws before using personal mobility devices in public spaces.
For provincial information about e-scooters and the pilot program, residents can consult the Province of Ontario's online resources.
