Biking & Cyclists

Personal Use Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Program

In January 2020, the Province of Ontario announced that it would begin a five-year pilot program permitting electric kick-style scooters (e-scooters) to operate in municipalities that opt-in to the program. The goal of the Provincial pilot program is to evaluate the usefulness of e-scooters by assessing their ability to safely integrate with other vehicle types and determine whether existing road rules are appropriate.

Hamilton City Council approved by-laws 20-269 and 20-270 on December 16, 2020 that opts Hamilton into the pilot program and regulates the use of personal and commercial e-scooters within the city. The by-law permitted personal use of e-scooters effective immediately but placed a “hold” on commercial e-scooters until a framework is approved.

What is an e-scooter?

An electric kick-scooter (e-scooter) is defined under Ontario Regulation 389/19 as a vehicle that has:

Two wheels, one placed at the front of the kick-scooter and one at the rear;
A platform for standing between the two wheels;
A steering handlebar that acts directly on the steerable wheel;
A bell or horn;
At least one white light on the front, one red light on the read and reflective materials on the sides;
A maximum wheel diameter of 17 inches;
A maximum weight of 45 kg; and,
An electric motor not exceeding 500 watts that provides a maximum speed of 24 km/hour.

To support their safe use, e-scooters also:

Cannot be fitted with baskets, pedals or seats; and,
Lights must be used on an e-scooter any time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any other time when there is insufficient light.

Tow women riding e-scooters on the street wearing helmets

The devices in the left photo are e-scooters. The other two mobility devices are not e-scooters.

E-scooters in Hamilton

E-scooter Users

Riding & Parking E-scooters

Additional Information

Ontario Regulation 389/19 states that e-scooter users:

Must be at least 16 years old
Must wear a helmet if under 18 years old
Must always be standing up when using an e-scooter
Must not be operated while impaired by alcohol, drugs or other substance
Are not permitted to tow or have passengers

Where can I ride an e-scooter?

In Hamilton, e-scooters are permitted to ride on:

Roads with a speed limit of 50 km/hr or less;
Roads with cycling facilities, regardless of the speed limit;
Boulevard multi-use paths immediately adjacent to a street (e.g. Keddy Trail, Governors Road path, Cootes Drive path); and,
Select paved recreation multi-use trails in a park or not adjacent to a street. These permitted trails will be signed for e-scooter use. If the trail is not signed for e-scooters, then e-scooters are not permitted.

When used on a multi-use path or trail, e-scooters must not operate at a speed markedly greater than the speed of pedestrians nearby.

In Hamilton, e-scooters are not permitted to ride on:

Sidewalks;
Unpaved recreational multi-use trails;
In trails within most parks, unless otherwise signed to permit e-scooters; and,
Controlled access highways (e.g., QEW, 403, Linc, Red Hill).

By-law 20-269 regulates the use of e-scooters in Hamilton. Not every municipality permits e-scooters, and each has different rules about where they can be operated.

Where can I park an e-scooter?

E-scooters are permitted to park in the same locations as a bike, except they cannot be parked at Hamilton Bike Share stations. Parked e-scooters cannot obstruct pedestrian or vehicle movement.

Are shared commercial e-scooter companies permitted to operate in Hamilton?

A commercial pilot program was approved by City Council. More details will be shared once they are available.

What other municipalities opted into the e-scooter pilot program?

Other municipalities that have opted to permit e-scooters for personal and/or commercial use during the pilot period include Windsor, Brampton, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Waterloo Region.

Date modified

January 06, 2023