Written By David Gomez
STRATHROY-CARADOC – Council has supported a resolution calling on the Ontario government to establish consistent regulations for electric scooters, as questions continue over where the increasingly popular vehicles can legally operate.
At its September 21 meeting, council endorsed a resolution originally adopted by the Town of Parry Sound on September 1. The proposal asks the province to replace the current municipality-by-municipality approach with a province-wide regulatory framework that maintains safety standards while allowing communities to address local circumstances.
Under Ontario’s existing e-scooter pilot program, municipalities must adopt their own bylaws before e-scooters can legally operate on public roads and other designated public spaces.
Parry Sound’s resolution argues that this arrangement creates administrative and enforcement challenges, particularly for smaller municipalities with limited resources.
It also points to inconsistent regulations across Ontario, which can make it difficult for riders to understand where scooters are permitted.
E-scooters are identified as an affordable, lower-emission transportation option, particularly in communities without conventional public transit.
However, Parry Sound’s resolution also emphasizes the need for appropriate safety requirements and local regulatory authority.
The issue has particular relevance in Strathroy-Caradoc, where electric scooters are currently prohibited from operating on public property.
In a September 23 public notice, the Strathroy-Caradoc Police Service reminded residents that the municipality has not enacted a bylaw permitting e-scooter use. As a result, riding them on public roads, sidewalks, trails, pathways and in public parks is prohibited. Individuals found violating the rules may face fines or court proceedings.
Council’s support for the Parry Sound resolution does not change those restrictions or authorize e-scooter use locally.
The original resolution also seeks support from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) in advocating for provincial legislation that would reduce administrative and enforcement responsibilities for municipalities.
For now, any change to the rules governing e-scooters in Strathroy-Caradoc would require further regulatory action.
