Council pushes awareness of rules surrounding e-bikes and e-scooters amid growing safety concerns

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

Council is boosting efforts to publicize existing rules respecting e-bikes and e-scooters in response to safety concerns.

Councillor Ryan Boehme brought the motion before Council at their last meeting, requesting staff work towards increasing awareness of current rules, safety requirements and consequences of non-compliance. 

Other councillors were quick to jump on board with the motion, many having received reports of near-miss incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters in public spaces.

Kingston did not opt into Ontario’s e-scooter pilot program, meaning e-scooters are prohibited in public spaces. The City also prohibits electric skateboards, hoverboards and low-speed electric vehicles resembling small cars.

Near the end of the summer, Kingston Police issued several releases flagging an increase in the number of prohibited vehicles in the community and reminding residents of the current rules. The Kingston Police Traffic Safety Unit has been intentionally cracking down on the issue. 

A recommended Micromobility Regulations Strategy is expected in the first quarter of 2027, which will provide more clarity surrounding a range of devices.

Listen to the full story here.