Tillsonburg opts out of e-scooter pilot

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Tillsonburg council took a wait-and-see approach to e-scooters.

The town received a request from a business to join the province’s e-scooter pilot. The 10-year pilot, launched in 2019, allows municipalities to opt in and set where e-scooters may operate, insurance requirements, permit requirements, etc. The province sets standards for rider age eligibility, speed limits, and safety standards.

A report by Tillsonburg Deputy Clerk Laura Pickersgill said only 19 of 444 municipalities in Ontario have opted in to the trial. She presumes the province will make a more formal decision on e-scooters at the end of the trial.

Under the provincial legislation, an e-scooter is defined as a kick-style scooter with a standing platform, two wheels and an electric motor of no more than 500 watts.

Before completing the report, municipal staff met to discuss the issues and safety concerns.

Coun. Kelly Spencer said she rode e-scooters in Ottawa and Mississauga. Saying it was “certainly fun”, she pointed out many people use the scooter for transportation in those cities. Spencer asked if the legislation also captured e-bikes.

Pickersgill said an e-bike is considered a bicycle under the Highway Traffic Act, and the wheels are much larger.

“With e-scooters, the wheels are much smaller, and there’s more chance a wheel will catch on something,” she said.

Spencer asked for specifics on e-scooter accidents and whether any of the municipalities taking part in the pilot project had data. Pickersgill didn’t have this data, but said she could look further.

“What I’m seeing out in the community is a lot of young people without helmets,” Spencer said, after asking whether helmets are required if the rider is under 16.

She also asked what will happen to the small business in town selling e-scooters, and was told that if the business doesn’t have a license, it won’t be able to operate in Tillsonburg.

Saying she has seen dozens of e-scooters in town, Spencer asked if there was anywhere they could be used, and was told they could be used on private property.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy asked whether the town opted into the pilot and whether the scooters would be allowed on trails and sidewalks.

Pickersgill said sidewalks were not recommended, adding, “It’s up to the municipality how far it goes with this.”

Coun. Chris Parker asked whether a business was licensed to sell e-scooters and was told it was not.

Coun. Pete Luciani said he supported the report's suggestion not to proceed with joining the trial.

Coun. Bob Parsons said he has seen e-scooters being ridden after dark, and with two people on it. He suggested parental supervision is needed.

“It’s very dangerous from what I’m seeing,” he said.

Gilvesy encouraged parents to research some of the injury data, adding that there have been people killed. She also said Toronto Sick Kid’s Hospital has a significant amount of data on head injuries. Gilvesy said the suggested motion doesn’t preclude the use of e-scooters in the future, but for now safety is the priority.

Parker agreed, saying, “We need to keep a close eye on it in order to make the correct decision. Right now, there’s no safety data.”

Spencer said the use of e-scooters on Broadway is a concern.

“It’s very difficult to ride a bike down there, more or less a scooter,” she said.

Council’s motion was not to opt into the pilot and to have a report back in a year.