Electric Scooters & Electric Bicycles

To keep everyone safe and moving smoothly, the City has launched an educational campaign to help riders understand the rules and share our streets respectfully. Learn the rules for all rideables.

Micromobility, also known as rideables, describes small, compact, low-speed vehicles. They can include bicycles, folding bikes, e-mopeds, electric kick-scooters (e-scooters), and more.

E-scooters (electric kick scooters) are not permitted to be ridden in the City of Toronto.

E-bikes are permitted in Toronto for those 16 years and older.

It is important to know what electric mobility devices are permitted and where you are permitted to ride them. Learn more about where different types of Micromobility are permitted to operate in the City.

E-Scooters	E-Bikes
In Toronto, e-scooters are not permitted to be operated on public roads, sidewalks or paths, regardless of user age.	E-bikes are permitted on public roads but not on sidewalks in Toronto. You must wear a helmet while riding an e-bike.
In Ontario, it is illegal for people under the age of 16 to ride on and operate an e-scooter.	In Ontario, it is illegal for people under the age of 16 to ride on and operate an e-bike.
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 and frequently marketed to youth under 16 years. Although permitted in some municipalities in Ontario, riding them is not permitted in Toronto.	The City does not have the authority to regulate the sale of e-bikes, only what is operated in public spaces. When buying an e-bike, it is important for consumers to make sure it meets the Provincial Government standards.

E-Scooters

Image of black and silver electric kick scooter

E-Bikes

Image of a red Electric power assist bicycle that require some muscular power Image of a black and white Electric power assist tricycle that require some muscular power

In Toronto, e-scooters are not permitted to be operated on public roads, sidewalks or paths, regardless of user age.

E-bikes are permitted on public roads but not on sidewalks in Toronto. You must wear a helmet while riding an e-bike.

In Ontario, it is illegal for people under the age of 16 to ride on and operate an e-scooter.

In Ontario, it is illegal for people under the age of 16 to ride on and operate an e-bike.

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 and frequently marketed to youth under 16 years.

Although permitted in some municipalities in Ontario, riding them is not permitted in Toronto.

The City does not have the authority to regulate the sale of e-bikes, only what is operated in public spaces. When buying an e-bike, it is important for consumers to make sure it meets the Provincial Government standards.

E-scooters and e-bikes are not toys.
It is illegal for youth under the age of 16 to operate an e-scooter or e-bike across Ontario.  
- The Provincial Ontario Regulation 3.89/19: Pilot Project – Electric Kick-Scooters states that a child under the age of 16 is not permitted to operate or ride on an electric kick-scooter. For more information visit:  O. Reg. 389/19: Pilot Project - Electric Kick-Scooters (ontario.ca) .
- The Province’s Highway Traffic Act states that a child under the age of 16 is not permitted to operate or ride on an electric bicycle. For more information visit: Highway Traffic Act, Section 38.1(2). Although e-scooters are permitted in some municipalities, they are not permitted in Toronto on public streets, sidewalks, trails or other public spaces, regardless of user age.
The City does not have the authority to regulate what is sold, 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 and frequently marketed to youth under 16 years.

Your Child’s Health and Safety:

E-scooters present a significant safety hazard and can cause serious injuries.

Since 2020, the SickKids Hospital Trauma Registry has seen a significant increase in the number of serious injuries related to battery-powered mobility vehicles: SickKids seeing growing number of injuries from e-scooters and e-bicycles.

In June and July 2024 alone, the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) at SickKids found that among e-scooter injuries treated in the Emergency Department:

E-scooters were associated with 85 per cent of serious injuries from battery-powered mobility vehicles.
Nearly half of all e-scooter injuries involved children aged 10-13.
81 per cent of injured e-scooter riders were male. 
Use of a helmet does not always prevent head injuries – approximately 36 per cent of injuries treated were head injuries, and 56 per cent of injured patients were not wearing a helmet at the time of their injury.  
31 per cent of injuries treated involved multiple parts of the body .

Image of black and silver electric kick scooter

Toronto City Council decided to not opt in to the e-scooter Provincial pilot in late May 2024 (Agenda Item History – 2024.IE13.1 (toronto.ca). Therefore they are Illegal to ride in the City of Toronto.

Know Before You Go:

E-scooters are not permitted on public roads, sidewalks or trails in Toronto.
Although e-scooters are permitted  in some municipalities, they are not permitted to be ridden in Toronto.
E-scooters are not regulated on the market and are available for purchase in stores. The City does not have the authority to regulate what is sold, only what is used in public spaces.
E-scooters that are standing electric kick-scooters are not permitted to be operated, left, stored or parked on any public street in Toronto including bicycle lanes, cycle tracks, trails, paths, sidewalks or parks under Municipal Code Chapters 950, 886 and 608.
Toronto Police Service are enforcing fines and penalties for violations of the Highway Traffic Act and Toronto Municipal Code by-laws, when officers see an infraction.
Lithium-ion batteries are found in many common vehicles, including e-bikes. Certified lithium-ion batteries that are properly charged, used, and disposed of are generally safe. Overcharged, modified, or damaged batteries are not safe and can cause a fire or even explode.

E-bikes are permitted on public streets in Toronto. They produce zero emissions, and the electric assist makes it easier to travel uphill and longer distances, making e-bikes more accessible to people of different fitness levels. 

What is an E-Bike?

E-bikes in Ontario must have:

a maximum assisted speed of 32 km/h.
a maximum weight of 120 kg (includes the weight of the bike and battery).
an electric motor not exceeding 500 watts.
no modifications to the motor to allow it to exceed a power output greater than 500 watts and an assisted speed greater than 32 km/h.
battery and electric motor securely fastened to the bicycle frame to prevent them from moving while the e-bike is operating
all electrical terminals properly insulated.
minimum wheel width of 35 mm and minimum diameter of 350 mm.
two independent braking systems that applies force to each wheel and is capable of bringing the e-bike, while being operated at a speed of 30 km/h, to a full stop within 9 metres, on a level asphalt surface, from the point at which the brakes were applied.

Please see the Ministry of Transportation’s Riding an E-bike page for more information.

Know Before You Go

You must be 16 years or older to ride an e-bike in Ontario.
You must wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet.
When buying an e-bike, it is important for consumers to make sure it meets the Provincial Government standards.
There are different types of e-bikes, so be sure to learn about them and where you can ride them on city streets.
Toronto Police Service are enforcing fines and penalties for violations of the Highway Traffic Act and Toronto Municipal Code by-laws, when officers see an infraction.
Lithium-ion batteries are found in many common vehicles, including e-bikes. Certified lithium-ion batteries that are properly charged, used, and disposed of are generally safe. Overcharged, modified, or damaged batteries are not safe and can cause a fire or even explode.

Types of E-Bikes and Where to Ride

	Description	Roadway (vehicle lanes)	Bicycle Lane (painted only)	Cycle Track (separated, eg. curbs, planters, etc)	Multi-use Trails and Paths  (includes pedestrians, joggers, etc)	Sidewalks
Bicycle	Human powered bicycle	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No (14 years and older)
E-bike requiring pedaling (“pedelecs” under 40 kg)	Electric power assist bicycle that require some muscular power	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
E-bike requiring pedaling (“pedelecs” over 40 kg)	Electric power assist tricycle that require some muscular power	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Power-assisted E-bike (max. 120 kg, max. speed 32 km/hr)	Throttle, electric motor-scooter that requires no pedalling and no muscular power Max 32 km/h speed capability	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Motorcycles, Mopeds, Motor Scooters	Capable of speeds greater than 32 km/h	Yes	No	No	No	No

Where Can I Ride?

On May 22-23, 2024, City Council adopted a Micromobility Strategy for Toronto (IE 13.1). You can learn more about where different forms of Micromobility are permitted to operate in the City.

Multi-use Trails, Paths and Parks

Motorized vehicles (including power-assisted E-bikes which do not require pedaling) may not be used on park multi-use paths. If a motorized vehicle is used on a park path, the rider/driver may be fined by bylaw enforcement officers. The Waterfront Multi-use path, Don Valley and Humber Multi-use paths, are all considered parklands. The West Toronto Railpath and Hydro corridor trails are considered linear parks.

Toronto Ferries

Electric kick scooters, motorcycles or e-bikes over 40 kg are not permitted on ferries to Toronto Island Park or on Toronto Islands. All conventional bicycles and e-bikes that weigh less than 40 kg and require muscular power to operate are permitted on ferries and on the islands.

Parking an E-bike – Post & Ring Stands

Under Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 950 , section 201B, only bicycles including E-bikes that are defined under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act as “capable at all times of being propelled on level ground solely by using muscular power to operate the pedals” can park on the sidewalk, and use a post and ring stand as though they were a conventional bicycle. E-bikes that are not “capable at all times of being propelled on level ground solely by using muscular power to operate the pedals” such as scooter-style or moped-style E-bikes may park on-street as motorcycles do.

Wrong-Way Riding - Ride with the flow always.

Going the wrong way in a bike lane is dangerous. It puts you and others at risk of head-on collisions.

Stopping in the Bike Lane.

Stopping in a bike lane forces cyclists into traffic. Pull over to a safe spot outside the lane if you need to stop.

Sidewalks are for Pedestrians.

It is illegal to ride on the sidewalk. Cycling on sidewalks puts pedestrians at risk, especially kids, seniors, and people with disabilities. Use bike lanes or roads instead.

Mopeds don’t belong here.

Mopeds are motor vehicles and must travel with regular traffic. It is illegal to operate a moped in the bike lane. They’re too fast, too heavy, and not safe for shared cycling space.

To learn more about the rules of the road, enforcement, and how to report a collision, please visit our page about Cycling and the Law.

Learn more about the Micromobility Strategy for Toronto.