Electric Kick-Scooters Not Permitted on Peterborough Roads, Sidewalks and Trails

Peterborough, ON – Residents are reminded that electric kick-scooters, commonly known as e-scooters, are not permitted to be operated on roads, sidewalks, trails, paths, walkways or in public parks in the City of Peterborough. 

Under the provincial Highway Traffic Act, Ontario Regulation 389/19 bans riding electric kick-scooters in public spaces unless the local municipality passes a local by-law that authorizes their operation. The City of Peterborough has not opted into the provincial pilot program for electric kick-scooters and has not passed a by-law permitting their use. 

Launched in 2020, the provincial pilot program allows municipalities to decide whether to permit electric kick-scooters within their communities and establish rules for where and how they may be used. The pilot has been extended to November 27, 2029, allowing the province to continue evaluating their use and inform future policy decisions. 

Electric kick-scooters may be operated on private property with the property owner's permission. 

Operating an electric kick-scooter in a prohibited location may result in fines or a court summons.  

More information about Ontario's electric kick-scooter pilot program and provincial requirements is available at ontario.ca/escooters. 

A City by-law regulates the use of bikes, e-bikes, inline skates, roller skates, and skateboards on roads, multi-use trails, and sidewalks in the city. It does not reference electric kick-scooters, which are regulated under the provincial Highway Traffic Act, Regulation 389/19. Under the City by-law, bicycle-style e-bikes are allowed on multi-use trails only when powered by pedaling and scooter-style e-bikes are not permitted on multi-use trails. 

For more information on City trails, visit peterborough.ca/trails.