No “micromobility” vehicles as Taxis, staff recommend
Collisions with much larger vehicles a concern
Toronto City Council will consider a staff report on a “micromobility strategy” for the city on May 22nd. Staff have recommended that Toronto participate in a pilot on the units, but that By-law 546 (Taxi regulations) be amended to prohibit them as Taxi, limos or rideshare vehicles.
In late summer 2023 to early 2024, City staff conducted research to support the creation of a “Micromobility” strategy for Toronto.
“Micromobility describes small, compact, low-speed vehicles that are lighter weight than cars, which can include bicycles, cargo bikes/trikes, folding bikes, electric two, three, or four-wheeled cycles, urban mobility vehicles (i.e. small, one-person e-cars), e-mopeds, electric kick-scooters (e-scooters), and more,” Toronto writes on its website.
In July 2023 City Council directed staff to develop a micromobility strategy .
The strategy is intended to clarify what types of micromobility are allowed to be used and where, and will address key opportunities and challenges that micromobility presents. Key issues include safety and the interaction of vehicles of different mass and speed, infrastructure considerations, education and enforcement (e.g. addressing illegal sidewalk riding and illegal blocking of bike lanes and cycle tracks).
In May 2021, City Council declined to participation in an Ontario Pilot Project for Electric Kick-Scooters due to concerns about safety, liability and impacts to elderly residents and persons living with disabilities. Electric Kick-Scooters (e-scooters) are not allowed to be operated, left, stored or parked on any public street in Toronto including bicycle lanes, cycle tracks, trails, paths, sidewalks or parks.
