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The City of Kingston and its police force are reminding residents that unlike other Ontario cities, it has not opted into Ontario’s e-scooter pilot project, so the scooters are not allowed on city roads, sidewalks, trails or other public spaces.
Under the province’s nearly decade-long pilot that started in 2020, municipalities that opt in can allow people age 16 and up to ride two-wheel electric scooters that are capable of travelling up to 24 km/h on flat ground.
Communities such as Ottawa have opted into the program despite concerns about e-scooter safety, particularly for young people — but Kingston has not.
In a news release, the city said it’s currently reviewing so-called “micromobility” rules to bring to council for approval. Micromobility options include e-scooters, bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades.
Besides e-scooters, e-cargo bikes over 55 kilograms, electric skateboards and hoverboards, and electric low-speed vehicles that resemble small cars are also disallowed in Kingston.
People caught riding e-scooters illegally are subject to charges, fines and seizure, Kingston said.
According to the city, earlier this month police stopped someone going 77 km/h on an electric scooter. Scooters that can go that fast fall outside the e-scooter pilot and may be classified as motor vehicles with all the provincial requirements that brings, the city said.