While vowing to enforce laws that ban electric scooters and skateboards from Toronto’s roads, Toronto Police officers will use their discretion when determining to fine offenders or educate them with a warning.
“Really what we’re taking about is the e-bikes, e-scooters, the kick scooters, some of the mopeds, cargo bikes, everything, and a lot of it is driven by the food industry,” said Matt Moyer, acting superintendent of Traffic Services, who added the force has received “so many complaints” about the devices.
E-kick scooters, e-skateboards, e-unicycles and e-hoverboards are prohibited from operating on Toronto’s roads. Police will be targeting offenders during their “Safe Rides, Safe Streets” campaign, which wraps up Nov. 17.
Moyer said officers will deal with offenders on a case-by-case basis, and it’s up to them whether to issue a fine — around $90 for offences like failing to yield to pedestrians or making an unsafe U-turn — or to make efforts to provide education about the law.
“And we’re applying the Highway Traffic Act,” he added. “And I’m going to revisit this plan in the spring. After we’ve done our education and enforcement, then I’m going to segue into starting it up again and see if we’ve had any success.”
Moyer has even heard of e-bikes on being spotted on the Gardiner Expressway. One person have been killed and eight seriously injured this year while operating one of the devices.
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“People are trying to make a living (as food delivery) and I understand that,” said Moyer.
“And I feel sorry for them because they don’t know the rules of engagement. So that’s why it’s education and enforcement,” he added. “And we’re not seizing anything, we’re not taking their e-scooters away or anything like that.
“But we’re seeing everything from people going through stop signs, red lights, up on the sidewalk, off the sidewalk — everything — and we have zero patience for that. That requires enforcement.”