FAQs

Micromobility refers to a class of small transportation devices, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, typically used for personal transport. They are typically low speed, light weight, and partially or fully motorized by electric power. These devices are low-emission, affordable, convenient and support urban mobility reducing reliance on auto modes for short distance trips.

An e-scooter (also known as electric kick-scooter) in Ontario is defined as a vehicle that has two wheels (one at the front and one at the back), a platform to stand on, a handlebar for steering, an electric motor that does not exceed 500 watts and a maximum speed of 24 km/h on a level surface.

For more information on e-scooters, please see the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s page.

To ride an e-scooter in Ontario, one must be 16 years old or above. One must also wear a helmet. Most importantly, the municipalities where you live must have passed their own by-law for e-scooter and participated in the Ontario's e-scooter pilot project. It is noted that Whitby has not participated in the pilot project.

People can ride electric kick scooters in Whitby on Regional Roads with a posted speed limit of up to 60 km/h, within a bicycle lane or within a paved shoulder. 

Currently, e-scooters are not permitted on Town Roads. 

No, the Town of Whitby does not have an e-scooter specific by-law.

The Government of Ontario introduced a 5-year e-scooter pilot project under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) (O.Reg. 389/19) that began on January 1, 2020. Under this pilot program, municipalities must pass a by-law to allow e-scooters to operate in their transportation network. Currently, the Town of Whitby has no by-law specific to the e-scooter operation.

An e-bike in Ontario is defined as a power-assisted bicycle with an electric motor that has a handlebar for steering, working pedals, two or three wheels, and braking systems. 

To operate an e-bike in Ontario, the e-bike must have:

• a maximum assisted speed of 32 km/h,
• a maximum weight of 55 kg for e-bikes that resemble conventional bicycles and 120 kg for e-bikes that resemble motor scooters or motorcycles (the weight limit includes the weight of the bike and battery),
• an electric motor not exceeding 500 watts,
• no modifications to the motor to allow it to exceed a power output greater than 500 watts and an assisted speed greater than 32 km/h,
• battery and electric motor securely fastened to the bicycle frame to prevent them from moving while the e-bike is operating,
• all electrical terminals properly insulated,
• minimum wheel width of 35 mm and minimum diameter of 350 mm,
• two independent braking systems that applies force to each wheel and is capable of bringing the e-bike, while being operated at a speed of 30 km/h, to a full stop within 9 metres, on a level asphalt surface, from the point at which the brakes were applied.

Removing the pedals makes the e-bike a motor vehicle, which requires a licence, insurance and registration to operate. It is also illegal to modify your e-bike's electric motor to make it more powerful or to increase the assisted speed of the bike.

For more information on e-bike, please see the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's page.

To ride an e-bike in Ontario, one must be 16-year-old or above. One must also wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet, keep e-bike in good working order and follow the same rules of the road as other cyclists.

Currently, there is no Town by-law to govern the use of micromobility device within the Town's road network. The use of e-bikes is guided by Highway Traffic Act. Accordingly, e-bikes are regulated as vehicles in the Highway Traffic Act, and must obey all traffic laws, signs and signals. For the Town's park trail system, Whitby's Public Parks and Park Building By-law restricts the use of e-bikes on park trails.

Currently, you can operate e-bikes on Regional Roads with a posted speed limit of up to 60 km/h, within a bicycle lane or if bicycle lanes do not exist, you can use pedal assist bicycles as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway or within a paved shoulder.

The operation of e-bikes on Town Roads is guided by Highway Traffic Act and is similar to the traditional bikes. E-bikes are not allowed within Whitby's park trails as per Whitby's Public Parks and Park Building By-law. 

Other micromobility devices include electric powered devices such as electric hoverboard, electric skateboard, Segway and electric unicycle.

Bike lanes are a portion of a roadway which has been designated for the exclusive use of cyclists, and which is separated from adjacent motor vehicle lanes by a pavement marking that may have a horizontal buffer and separation elements to restrict encroachment of vehicular traffic.

Multi-use paths are a two-way path separated from the travelled portion of the roadway by a curb. Multi-use paths are shared by pedestrians and cyclists. Multi-use trails are trails for pedestrians and cyclists, typically through a natural area/park.

Shared micromobility service offers people the opportunity to rent micromobility devices typically though a digital platform.  Unlike privately owned micromobility, the devices are owned by a service provider.