At the town halls I held in Leaside and Thorncliffe Park last fall, I heard from many residents who were worried about the unsafe operation of electric micromobility vehicles – e-bikes and e-scooters – on our roads and sidewalks. Many of us have experienced an e-scooter or e-bike whizzing by on a crowded sidewalk without warning, creating significant safety concerns for our most vulnerable pedestrians.
The safety risks for e-bike and e-scooter users are well-documented and growing, particularly for children. In 2024, SickKids reported an alarming increase in the number of children injured from riding micromobility vehicles, with nearly half of all e-scooter-related injuries involving children aged 10 to 13. The Canadian Institute for Health Information found that e-scooter injuries are rising sharply across Canada and hospitalizations for children aged 5-17 increased by 61% from 2023 to 2024. Similarly, a preliminary review of St. Michael’s Hospital data found a 600% increase in e-scooter injuries from 2020-2024.
While e-scooters remain banned for use on public property in Toronto, we are continuing to see greater numbers of them on our sidewalks. I have also seen many children riding micromobility vehicles, even though it is illegal for anyone under 16 to operate an e-bike or e-scooter under provincial law. The continued illegal use of micromobility vehicles is creating a growing enforcement challenge and leading to significant safety issues across Toronto.
In December, I worked with Councillor Burnside on a motion asking staff to review legislative options to seize e-bikes and e-scooters operating illegally on sidewalks. City staff were directed to explore enforcement and regulatory measures, including potential licensing options and the ability to seize vehicles, and report back to City Council in the second quarter of 2026. This report will also include recommendations from the Micromobility Safety Working Group to improve public awareness of micromobility regulations and improve the safe operation of these vehicles.
In addition to this, after Toronto Police Services (TPS) issued hundreds of tickets to e-bike and e-scooter riders during their Back to School campaign last fall, I moved a motion requesting that the City consider continuing working with the police on coordinated public information campaigns and enforcement blitzes for micromobility vehicles. My motion also asked staff to work with school boards to disseminate information about the existing regulations and dangers of electric micromobility vehicles for children. I’m pleased to report that my motion was adopted unanimously by City Council.
While work continues at City Hall to strengthen our regulatory framework for micromobility devices, we also need intergovernmental support to establish consistent safety standards across the province and country. Looking ahead, I will be continuing to advocate for and support initiatives that improve safety for all road and sidewalk users in Don Valley West and across Toronto.
