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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: June 6, 2022 Report Number: LGS-010-22
Submitted By: Rob Maciver, Director of Legislative Services
Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO By-law Number:
File Number: L1000-56 Resolution#: GG-232-22
Report Subject: Durham Region Electric Kick Scooter By-law
Recommendation:
1.That Report LGS-010-22, and any related delegations or communication items, be
received for information.
Municipality of Clarington Page 2
Report LGS-010-22
Report Overview
This report provides a synopsis of the new Region of Durham Electric Kick Scooter By-law,
with specific reference to concerns raised by Clarington Council at the May 2, 2022 Council
meeting.
1. Background
1.1 On May 2, 2022, Council adopted Resolution #C-116-22, which provides:
That Staff report back on the Electric Kick Scooters referenced in the Durham of Region
report (Durham Region Report 2022-COW -9) and corresponding by-law.
1.2 On April 27, 2022, the Region of Durham enacted its Electric Kick Scooter By-law (the
“By-law”).
1.3 The By-law is authorized under the Provincial e-scooter pilot program which allows
municipalities to choose where and how e-scooters may be used within their jurisdiction.
2. Analysis
2.1 As stated above, the By-law is enacted pursuant to the Provincial e-scooter pilot
program which runs until the end of 2024. The By-law provides that it will be repealed
on the earlier of November 27, 2024, and the date the pilot program is rescinded by the
Provincial government. If the pilot project is successful, it is possible that changes will
be made to the Highway Traffic Act to permanently authorize the use of electric kick
scooters.
2.2 The By-law applies exclusively to electric kick scooters (“e-scooters”) which are defined
as vehicles having two wheels (one wheel in front of the other), a platform for standing,
a steering handlebar, and an electric motor. The By-law does not apply four-wheeled
mobility scooters which are placed in the same category as electric wheelchairs.
2.3 The By-law applies to individually owned e-scooters as well as to e-scooters that are
rented to the public. Although e-scooter rental services are beginning to appear in some
of the larger municipalities in Ontario, none are thought to be operating in Durham
Region at this time.
2.4 The By-law provides that the maximum speed of an e-scooter is 24 kilometres per hour.
2.5 The By-law authorizes the use of e-scooters on roads under the jurisdiction of the
Region of Durham only. E-scooters are not permitted to operate on roads under the
jurisdiction of Clarington.
Municipality of Clarington Page 3
Report LGS-010-22
2.6 The By-law restricts the use of electric kick scooters to Regional roads with a legal
speed limit of 60 km/hr or less, unless it is within a reserved bicycle lane.
2.7 Additionally, the By-law provides that e-scooters are not permitted to operate on a
sidewalk, except in very limited circumstances.
2.8 The By-law includes a variety of other rules and restrictions including: a minimum age
requirement of 16; a requirement for riders under 18 to wear a helmet; and a prohibition
against tandem riding.
2.9 Council raised a concern about the potential for e-scooters to be parked in the street or
sidewalk where they could obstruct pedestrians and traffic. To avoid this, the By-law
provides that e-scooters are not permitted to be parked or stopped anywhere other than
designated parking areas.
2.10 The full version of the Region’s By-law may be reviewed here.
3. Concurrence
Not Applicable.
Staff Contact: Robert Maciver, Deputy CAO/Solicitor, 905-623-3379 ext. 2013 or
rmaciver@clarington.net.
Attachments:
Not Applicable
Interested Parties:
There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision.