Caledon gets clarity on rules of the road when it comes to e-scooters

By Kathryn Fraser

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Another memorandum had been brought forward for the Town Council meeting on July 28, by Dan Terzievski, Director of Transportation, Engineering, Public Works and Transportation regarding the Planning and Development Committee and the current state of e-scooter regulations within the Town of Caledon. 

The Pilot Project was created in January 1, 2020 by the Province of Ontario to evaluate whether scooters could be used and operated on roads. Under the pilot, e-scooters are not to be used on Ontario Roads unless a bylaw is permitted by the municipality. 

The pilot runs through to November 27, 2029, after which the Ministry of Transportation will decide if e-scooters will be permitted. 

On June 25, 2024, Caledon Council enacted amendments to Traffic By-law 2024-048 which added provisions to regulate e-scooters. 

The Town of Caledon is not part of the Pilot Program, but still allows e-scooters as they fall under the Traffic By-law 2024-048. 

For those interested in riding e-scooters on Town Roads must abide by the following guidelines, as stated in the Council minutes. 

E-scooters must have the following:

A maximum speed of 24 km/h on a level surface;

Two wheels (one at the front and one at the back);

A platform to stand on between the two wheels;

A handlebar for steering;

An electric motor that does not exceed 500 watts;

A maximum weight of 45 kg;

Brakes;

A horn and bell;

At least one white light in the front, one red light in the rear and reflective material on the sides;

A maximum wheel diameter of 17 inches, and;

Separately, e-scooters must not have a seat, pedals, or basket attached to them.

Operators of e-scooters must abide by the following rules: 

e-scooter operators shall be at least 16 years old;

e-scooter operators under 18 years old shall ride with a bicycle helmet;

The top speed allowance for e-scooters is 24 km/h;

e-scooters may not be operated on sidewalks and trails;

Where available, e-scooters must be ridden on bicycle lanes, bicycle tracks and MUPs;

e-scooters may not be operated on roadways that have a speed limit above 50 km/hr;

Persons operating e-scooters on a roadway shall:

Ride as near the right-hand side of the roadway as practicable and shall exercise due care;

When passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction;

Ride in a single file;

Always keep both hands on the handlebars except for the purposes of signaling;

Persons operating e-scooters shall not “carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the

Rider from keeping both hands on the handlebars”; and

e-scooters may be parked on a Bicycle Track or a MUP in a manner as to cause the least possible obstruction to traffic.

This was brought to Council as a memorandum to clarify the specific framework for e-scooters in Town as not all Council members had been made aware that e-scooters are permitted.

The memorandum also summarized that e-scooter operations are indeed permitted within the Town of Caledon as it is subject to the specific requirements that both the Pilot Program and the Town's Traffic Byline outline, despite not being involved in the Pilot Program.