Toronto's Micromobility Crackdown: Lessons from Across Canada

By EVWorld.com Si Editoral Team

Toronto Police Target Micromobility Violations

Toronto Police have launched a three-week education and enforcement blitz targeting micromobility users - cyclists, e-bike riders, e-moped operators, and e-scooter users - running through September 13, 2025. The initiative responds to a surge in injuries and fatalities, including six deaths in 2024, five involving e-bikes and one involving an e-scooter.

Officers are focusing on violations such as:

• Riding on sidewalks
• Wrong-way travel in bike lanes
• E-mopeds and e-scooters in cycle tracks
• Speeding, aggressive, distracted, or impaired riding

While the campaign emphasizes education first, riders may face fines of $110 plus a $10 service charge under the Highway Traffic Act if warnings are ignored. Notably, e-scooters remain illegal on Toronto''s public streets, sidewalks, and bike lanes, though they are permitted on private property.

Micromobility Infrastructure in Toronto

Toronto has invested in protected bike lanes, cycle tracks, and multi-use trails to support safe micromobility. The city’s Vision Zero strategy and Complete Streets design aim to reduce vehicle speeds and prioritize vulnerable road users. However, concerns remain about sidewalk riding, winter performance, and parking clutter.

How Other Canadian Cities Compare

Across Canada, cities are experimenting with different approaches to micromobility regulation and infrastructure:

Calgary
Launched its shared e-scooter pilot in 2019. E-scooters are allowed on sidewalks, pathways, and roads under 50 km/h. The program is now permanent, with high ridership and strong transit integration.

Ottawa
Operates seasonal shared e-scooters. Riders must be 16+, wear helmets, and use designated bike lanes or paths. Complaints about improper parking led to stricter geofencing and designated zones.

Edmonton
Allows e-scooters on bike lanes and shared-use paths. The program pauses during winter months. Enforcement and education are key components of the city’s strategy.

Vancouver
Permits e-scooters only in select municipalities within Metro Vancouver. Operates under BC’s provincial pilot program, with local bylaws governing access and speed.

Montreal
Initially launched shared e-scooters in 2019 but suspended the program due to safety and parking concerns. Privately owned e-scooters are allowed under strict rules.

Halifax
Offers shared e-scooters and e-bikes through private operators. Riders must follow designated zones and speed limits; helmet use is encouraged.

National Guidance and Future Outlook

The Transportation Association of Canada’s 2025 report recommends best practices for shared micromobility, including transit integration, seasonal planning, helmet policies, and equitable access. As cities learn from each other, the challenge remains balancing innovation with safety and accessibility.

Toronto’s enforcement blitz may be a turning point—either pushing micromobility into a more regulated future or stalling its growth amid public concern. What’s clear is that Canadian cities are watching closely, and the lessons learned here may shape national policy for years to come.

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