‘Bit of a menace’: Halton Hills moves to regulate e-scooters, e-bikes

HALTON – Halton Hills council is taking a look at how to regulate e-scooters and other alternative motorized vehicles, as a growing number of residents raise safety concerns about their use.

At the Nov. 17 council meeting, Coun. D’Arcy Keene introduced a motion directing town staff to investigate options for managing e-scooters, e-bikes, e-skateboards and similar devices.

He said the request was prompted by an email from a resident who was nearly knocked over by an e-scooter while carrying groceries to her car.

Keene said the use of these devices have surged over the last two years and, with no specific rules in place, riders are using them on roads, sidewalks, pathways and trails.

He explained that their speed, which can reach 40 km/h, combined with their near-silent operation creates a serious risk for pedestrians.

“I’m not sure if it’s legal for them to be using the bike lanes, they are motorized vehicles,” Keene said. “They appear to be a bit of a menace on the road.”

He requested that “town staff use some of their expertise to look into how we might get a handle on the situation and propose some solutions for regulating them.”

Coun. Ron Norris supported the motion and said he has heard similar complaints from residents.

“I think the timing is right, the appetite is there,” he said. “I believe our residents want to know what our direction is.”

Coun. Jane Fogal noted the issue has been raised at the town’s active transportation committee.

She said the province presented information about its pilot project at a Share the Road conference, but added it leaves municipalities to create their own rules.

As a result, she said, regulations vary widely, from outright bans to rental partnerships.

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“I do agree when there’s no rules, they’re not predictable. There’s nothing enforceable,” Fogal said.

Coun. Clark Somerville, who said he owns an e-bike, also backed the call for a report, but emphasized the need for clarity on legal requirements before any bylaw can be effectively enforced.

“I’m hoping they can let us know what the legal requirements are because I don’t know what good bylaw regulations will do if we’re not going to have enforcement behind it,” he said.

Town staff will prepare a report with recommendations to be brought to a future council meeting.