Toronto Considers Enforcement Options for E-bikes, E-scooters on Sidewalks

An e-bike and e-scooters available to rent sit on a sidewalk in Mississauga, Ont., on July 16, 2025. The Canadian Press/Megan Leach

Toronto city councillors have raised questions about the number of e-bikes and e-scooters using sidewalks, and whether police should be given permission to confiscate them.

E-bikes are permitted in the city for those over 16 years of age, and are only to be used on roads, not sidewalks, according to the city website. E-scooters are not allowed to be operated in Toronto for those of any age.

“The City does not have the authority to regulate what is sold on the market, only what is operated in public spaces. It is for this reason you will see e-scooters available for purchase or rent in Toronto stores,” the website said, adding that while e-scooters may be permitted in some Ontario cities, they are not permitted in Toronto.

Councillor Jon Burnside brought forward a motion at the Dec. 17 regular council meeting that would have city administration prepare a report on the legislative options allowing police to seize the devices if they are being used on sidewalks. The motion asked the general manager of transportation services to consult with the city solicitor and Toronto Police Service Board for the report.

Burnside said in the motion that e-bikes and e-scooters on sidewalks were illegal, and also “extremely dangerous” to pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities.

Council was informed by administration that the current practice of Toronto police, “when resources allow,” is to stop those who are using the devices on sidewalks and talk to them rather than confiscate the device.

During the meeting debate, the motion was amended to have administration report to the infrastructure and environment committee about enforcement options against e-bikes and e-scooters on sidewalks. The report is expected in the second quarter of 2026. The motion also asked for recommendations to improve public awareness of city rules for motorized micromobility devices.

The motion passed in a vote that saw 21 councillors and the mayor support the motion and two vote against. Three councillors were absent.

Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital said in an August 2024 post that it has been seeing an increase in injuries to children and youth from the use of e-scooters and e-bikes.

The hospital noted it saw 16 injuries in June and July 2024 compared to five injuries in June and July 2023.

The SickKids Trauma Register said it has seen a “significant increase” in serious injuries connected to the use of battery-powered devices since 2020. It said that e-scooters accounted for 85 percent of those injuries between 2021 and 2024.

Tickets Issued

Toronto police say they issued 179 tickets under the Highway Traffic Act and City of Toronto bylaws during an enforcement campaign in September. In total, police say they issued more than 3,500 tickets during the enforcement campaign for micromobility and back-to-school safety.

Micromobility vehicles refer to small, compact, low-speed vehicles and include e-bikes, e-scooters, and other devices such as e-mopeds, police said.

The campaign ran from Aug. 25 to Sept. 13, focusing on micromobility users on roads, bikelakes, sidewalks, and crosswalks.