Following discussions earlier this year about potentially pausing Mississauga’s electric scooter rental program until various safety issues could be resolved, the city is again making the personal mobility devices available for use starting this week.

However, as the City of Mississauga rolls out its shared micromobility program for a third year, offering e-scooters for rent once again starting today (April 22), it’s doing so with an extra focus on “safety, responsibility and etiquette,” city officials say.

The larger program, through which the city rents out electric bikes year-round and e-scooters from spring through late fall, is operated in partnership with Lime Technology Inc. and Bird Canada — the companies that provide the devices.

“E‑scooters provide another way for residents and visitors, ages 16 and older, to move around the city, especially for short trips,” the city said Wednesday afternoon in announcing the return of the e-scooters. “These devices can make it easier to connect to transit, travel to work or school, or complete everyday errands without a car.”

Since summer 2024, Mississauga’s e-scooter/e-bike rental program has made some 900 electric scooters and 300 electric bikes available for people to rent and use at various places including parks, the downtown core and other neighbourhoods throughout the city.

The program has encountered some difficulties along the way where the e-scooters are concerned, particularly related to the safe use of the devices and proper parking and return of the scooters after rental.

Each year, city staff have reviewed the rental program with an eye toward identifying areas for improvement the following spring and summer.

Ward 8 Coun. and Deputy Mayor Matt Mahoney wanted to pause e-scooter rentals in Mississauga until safety concerns can be properly addressed.

Mississauga Deputy Mayor and Ward 8 Coun. Matt Mahoney has pounded the table on several occasions the past couple of years in efforts to improve e-scooter safety as it relates to use of the city’s rental devices as well as privately owned e-scooters.

Mahoney tabled a motion earlier this month to temporarily pause the rental of e-scooters in Mississauga until the safety issue could be more fully addressed. The motion was defeated, with city council deciding instead to continue making the devices available but while also taking a harder look at improving safety.

In again making e-scooters available to rent, the city said this week it encourages riders “to familiarize themselves with riding rules, safety requirements and etiquette before getting on a bike, e-bike or e-scooter … to ensure a safer, more respectful experience for everyone sharing Mississauga’s roads, trails and pathways.”

The city added “every mode of transportation carries a shared responsibility, with safety remaining the top priority. Feedback from council discussions, health partners, operators and community members continue to help refine the program and inform how the city manages and monitors it.”

Officials also noted they’re working with both Lime Technology Inc. and Bird Canada to “strengthen messaging and education of proper use of e-scooters, and work collaboratively with our partners including Peel Regional Police to build awareness.

“Whether you’re using privately owned or shared devices, it is your responsibility to follow all the rules and regulations put in place to keep all road users safe.”


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