Regulate the Use of Electric Scooters on Toronto's Public Streets and Sidewalks
Regulate the Use of Electric Scooters on Toronto's Public Streets and Sidewalks
The Issue
I am a resident of Toronto living in a townhouse community that has witnessed an alarming increase in the use of electric scooters. As a pedestrian and pet owner, I am deeply concerned due to the unpredictability of these vehicles, primarily operated irresponsibly by minors. These hazardous machines are not just endangering the operators but also jeopardizing pedestrian safety including others walking their pets and even traffic participants.
These electric scooters lack necessary regulations, which results in minors riding them without helmets, endangering themselves to extreme risks such as fatal accidents. Furthermore, these unregulated scooters could bypass our provincial MTO regulations for speed limits, a circumstance I am familiar with, being an electric bike owner myself with a speed limiting device.
The accident risk induced by these scooters also amplifies damage potential. They can cause severe injuries to pedestrians, both adults and children alike, and even their pets. The importance of speed and age restriction, as well as mandatory helmet regulations and some form of accountability for damage caused, cannot be overstated.
The time has come for Toronto to step up and enact robust regulations on the sale and use of electric scooters to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Let's make our streets and sidewalks safer for everyone by instituting necessary age restrictions, mandatory helmet use, and speed limit enforcement for all electric scooters. Banning them will not solve the problem because it is virtually impossible to enact such a ban as we have already seen. It is time to voice our concerns and demand a change.
Please sign this petition to support the regulation of electric scooters in Toronto.
What we propose?
- No sidewalk riding - riders should only ride in bike lanes or on the roads, conditions permitting and obeying bicycle riding laws
- No speeding - scooters should have speed limiting devices like e-bikes(<25km/h)
- No double riding
- Wearing a helmet should be encouraged
- Frameworks for insurance liabilities
4,839
The Issue
I am a resident of Toronto living in a townhouse community that has witnessed an alarming increase in the use of electric scooters. As a pedestrian and pet owner, I am deeply concerned due to the unpredictability of these vehicles, primarily operated irresponsibly by minors. These hazardous machines are not just endangering the operators but also jeopardizing pedestrian safety including others walking their pets and even traffic participants.
These electric scooters lack necessary regulations, which results in minors riding them without helmets, endangering themselves to extreme risks such as fatal accidents. Furthermore, these unregulated scooters could bypass our provincial MTO regulations for speed limits, a circumstance I am familiar with, being an electric bike owner myself with a speed limiting device.
The accident risk induced by these scooters also amplifies damage potential. They can cause severe injuries to pedestrians, both adults and children alike, and even their pets. The importance of speed and age restriction, as well as mandatory helmet regulations and some form of accountability for damage caused, cannot be overstated.
The time has come for Toronto to step up and enact robust regulations on the sale and use of electric scooters to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Let's make our streets and sidewalks safer for everyone by instituting necessary age restrictions, mandatory helmet use, and speed limit enforcement for all electric scooters. Banning them will not solve the problem because it is virtually impossible to enact such a ban as we have already seen. It is time to voice our concerns and demand a change.
Please sign this petition to support the regulation of electric scooters in Toronto.
What we propose?
- No sidewalk riding - riders should only ride in bike lanes or on the roads, conditions permitting and obeying bicycle riding laws
- No speeding - scooters should have speed limiting devices like e-bikes(<25km/h)
- No double riding
- Wearing a helmet should be encouraged
- Frameworks for insurance liabilities
4,839
The Decision Makers
Petition created on September 30, 2024