E-scooters are booming in popularity all around the world and Ontario is no exception. Advancements in technology have meant that modern electric scooters have powerful batteries that give them impressive speed and range.
The law on e-scooters has struggled to keep up but we’re seeing more legislators looking at ways to incorporate them into the transport network. Here we take a closer look at why e-scooters are becoming more popular in Ontario and how the law has changed. Let’s get started!
What Are E-Scooters And How Do They Work?
Electric scooters, or e-scooters, are devices that allow you to travel short distances without having to use a car or public transportation. They are perfect for short journeys, and many models even come with a seat so that you can be more comfortable while you ride.
E-scooters are powered by a battery, which is what allows them to go long distances without having to be plugged in. One of the best things about e-scooters is that they are much more affordable than cars, and you don’t have to worry about parking.
There are many different reasons why e-scooters are becoming so popular. One reason is that they offer a more sustainable mode of transportation. E-scooters don’t produce emissions, so they are much better for the environment than cars.
Additionally, e-scooters are very convenient. They can be easily folded up and carried with you. It’s easy to see why they are becoming more popular in Ontario. This is especially since they launched their pilot program.
E-Scooter Adoption in Ontario
To promote the use of e-scooter, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (OMT) undertook a city-wide pilot program in January 2020. The independent municipalities are given the power to formulate their laws regarding parking spaces for e-Scooters, and its overall city-wide management.
The end goal for this pilot program is to see whether permanent e-scooter use is a good option or not. E-scooters are an excellent option for eco-friendly travel and can take pressure off the existing transport network. They do not use gasoline or any other type of fossil fuel, so they have a significantly lower carbon footprint.
However, e-scooters have many opposing sides too who don’t want to see them on public roads. Despite these dissenting voices, it seems like all the benefits you get from electric scooters are winning people over.
Why Are Policymakers Interested In Legalizing e-Scooters?
Different municipalities have set out their laws for the management of e-scooters and there are several different e-scooter platforms in Ontario. Some of them provide flexible pricing plans so that everyone can afford them and a lot of them work via an app. This is in conjunction with the huge rise in personal e-scooter ownership.
The lawmakers of Mississauga, for example. had their misgivings when Ontario first introduced the proposal for e-scooters. It took them until February 2021 to pass a by-law accepting them. This is because the benefits of e-scooter use became obvious.
Ontario-wide pilot program
The Ontario-wide pilot program was approved back in January 2020. Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is supervising the entire project. The city council has set a four-year waiver period for it. At the end of the waiver period, the officials will decide whether or not they want to include e-scooters on the road permanently
The official duration of the city-wide pilot program is from January 1, 2020, to January 1, 2025. There is a specific guideline on this pilot program that has set out all the necessary rules and regulations for the e-Scooter industry.
The riders must be of a certain age; they must always wear helmets and abide by the pre-specified speed and weight restrictions.
Every council has full authority to pick specific areas where people can ride e-Scooters. They have sole discretion at selecting whether or not they want to allow travel by e-Scooters in parks only, or will people have the permission to use e-Scooters on main roads alike.
The maximum speed limit allowed by the program for e-scooters is 24 kilometers per hour. To alert pedestrians, every e-Scooter must have either a bell or a horn, and riders have to be at least 16 years old. Furthermore, the e-scooters must have at least one red light on the rear-end, one white light on the front, and unique reflective material on both sides.
There are a few other rules too. If a passenger is found guilty of violating any rules specified in the Guideline for the Pilot Program, they will have to deposit a fine anywhere in the range of $250-$2,500.
The Benefits of Using E-Scooters
The benefits of using e-scooters are many. Part of the reason they have become so popular in Ontario is due to the pilot program and the other is just how versatile e-scooters are. It makes them a brilliant option for many people.
First and foremost, they are much more affordable than cars. Not only do you not have to worry about paying for gas, but you also don’t have to worry about parking. These are significant costs that can be hugely expensive over the course of a month or a year.
Then there are, of course, the other costs associated with cars such as the initial payment and monthly insurance. It means that, despite the initial cost, using an e-scooter will turn out to be much cheaper than owning a vehicle.
The portability of e-scooters is also a huge plus point. E-scooters can be easily folded up and carried with you, so you can take them with you wherever you go. You can take one with you to your office and simply fold it up and put it under your desk.
E-scooters can be great for those with mobility issues. If you struggle to get around then an e-scooter can be a much easier way to get from A to B. All the while, you’ll enjoy getting some nice fresh air.
They don’t produce emissions either, which means they are better for the environment. For those of us who are environmentally conscious, using them instead of a car or even public transport allows you to do your bit for the Earth.
It’s a combination of these factors which have made them not just popular in Ontario but the rest of the world too. It’s no surprise why we are seeing more and more of them. There is also another key factor in their immense popularity.
E-scooters are a whole lot of fun and it’s great to get out on one, even if you have nowhere to be! They allow you to get out and have an adventure and feel the wind through your hair without ever breaking a sweat.
Many people like the idea of leaving their car at home and picking up their bicycles. The downside to that is by the time you get to work you can be hot and sweaty, which isn’t a great way to start your day. Instead, you can hop on an e-scooter and get there in half the time without being out of breath.
Downsides of e-Scooters
There are very few downsides to e-scooters aside from safety concerns. The chance of accidents isn’t insignificant and they do cause injury, especially if you’re not wearing any protective equipment.
These risks, however, are only on a similar level to cycling. Any mode of transport has risk which is why Ontario was keen to add legislation to their plan to reduce speeds and ensure those who are riding do so safely.
The Future of E-scooters in Ontario
The pilot program is due to end at the start of 2024 which makes you wonder about the future of e-scooters in Ontario. It’s hard to see how it’s not going to be a success as we’ve already seen a huge number of e-scooters on the streets in the province.
All those benefits that we listed are hard to ignore. There’s no good reason why e-scooters should become a part of the transport system and be treated in a similar way to other forms of personal transportation, such as bicycles.
As with all technology, e-scooters are only ever going to get better. That’ll mean better safety features, a wider range of options, and a longer range. An increase of range would see even more car journey’s replaced by a more eco-friendly method.
This is just the beginning of the e-scooter revolution. Thankfully Ontario put the pilot program in place to test the waters. Hopefully, when the time comes, it will be agreed that e-scooters deserve a permanent place on our streets.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve seen, the reasons for the boom in popularity of e-scooters in Ontario are two-fold. Firstly, is the OMT’s decision to start up the program. This gave them a level of legitimacy and allowed people to buy and ride e-scooters with more confidence.
The second reason is the universal and undeniable benefits of riding an e-scooter. They are more affordable than ever which is why so many people are now riding them. Added to that are e-scooter sharing schemes.
It seems as though with e-scooters becoming more affordable and with friendlier legislation in place, e-scooters are here to stay in Ontario.
