Call it an electric kick scooter or an e-scooter. It’s the hottest thing on two wheels. And it has the OPP concerned about how it’s used and the harm it’s causing to users.
Const. Kyler Brouwer notes that a pilot project involving municipalities that enact bylaws around kick scooters has been extended until 2029.
“And what we’ve seen from OPP jurisdictions province wide is an increase year over year in collisions,” he adds.
Up to July 1st, 54 collisions were reported. That’s up 43% from 2024 to 2025.
There were two fatalities last year, and one so far this year.
Brouwer reminds us that an e-scooter is subject to the same common sense rules as a bicycle.
“All users of e-scooters do need to still follow the laws under the Highway Traffic Act similar to how a cyclist would, yielding right-of-way, stop signs, traffic control signals.”
If you’re under 18, you have to wear a bicycle helmet. Brouwer says it’s the safe choice beyond 18 as well.
And drive defensively, assuming other vehicles can’t see you.
Here’s more from the OPP:
A report from the OPP Regional Operational Analyst Program shows that motor vehicle collisions (MVC) involving Electric Kick-Scooters are on the rise.
Across the province, within OPP jurisdiction, there were 54 reported collisions between January 1, 2023, and July 2, 2026. There was a 17% increase from 2023 to 2024 and a 43% increase from 2024 to 2025.
There were 12 reported collisions in 2023, 14 in 2024, 20 in 2025 and 8 reported as of July 2, in 2026. Notably, 60% of the 2025 collisions occurred after July 2.
Provincially, 59% resulted in Non-Fatal Injury, 33% resulted in Property Damage and 7% resulted in a Fatality. One fatality occurred in 2024, two occurred in 2025 and there has been one in 2026.
If a municipality has not opted into the pilot project under the Highway Traffic Act and does not have a by-law permitting the use of Electric Kick-Scooters, their use on a highway, sidewalk, trail, path, walkway, public park or exhibition ground is prohibited.
If a municipality has permitted the use of Electric Kick-Scooters, some general rules of operation under the Highway Traffic Act are as follows:
- No person under the age of 16 years shall operate an electric kick-scooter.
- A person who is under the age of 18 shall wear a helmet that complies with the requirement of the Act.
- No person operating an electric kick-scooter shall carry any other person thereon.
- No person operating an electric kick-scooter shall tow another person, vehicle or device.
- No person operating an electric kick-scooter shall attach himself or herself to another electric kick-scooter, vehicle or device for the purpose of being drawn or towed.
- No person operating an electric kick-scooter shall operate it in any position other than while standing at all times.
- No cargo may be carried on an electric kick-scooter.
- No person operating an electric kick-scooter shall leave it in a location that is intended for the passage of vehicles or pedestrians.
There are also rules pertaining to equipment such as wheel diameter, weight, maximum speed, lamps, bell and braking system.
