Peterborough Police are reminding residents that despite being widely available for purchase, electric kick scooters cannot legally be used on public roads, sidewalks or trails in the communities they police.
The reminder comes as students return to school and police step up their focus on traffic safety.
Ontario launched an electric kick scooter pilot project in 2020, allowing individual municipalities to opt in and establish bylaws permitting their use. The pilot is scheduled to continue until 2029.
However, the City of Peterborough, Cavan Monaghan Township and Village of Lakefield have not opted into the program.
As a result, police say electric kick scooters are currently prohibited on roads, highways, sidewalks, trails, paths, walkways, public parks and other public areas in those communities.
They can be operated on private property or in Ontario municipalities that have adopted bylaws permitting their use.
Under provincial regulations, an electric kick scooter is generally defined as having two wheels, a standing platform, handlebars, a horn or bell, front and rear lights, a motor with a maximum output of 500 watts and a maximum speed of 24 km/h.
Police say anyone caught operating an electric kick scooter where it is prohibited could face a monetary fine or be summoned to court. Depending on the circumstances, officers may also take an education-based approach and issue a warning.
There could also be consequences for people who allow others to operate the scooters illegally.
Police say the reminder comes amid growing safety concerns involving the devices. The service cited Canadian Institute for Health Information data showing a 40 per cent increase in hospitalizations related to electric kick scooter incidents.
