Toronto police issue more than 3,500 tickets during enforcement campaign focused on school zones, use of e-scooters/e-bikes
By MATTHEW STEPHENS
Toronto police issued more 3,500 tickets across the city as part of a recent enforcement campaign focused on micromobility vehicles and back-to-school safety.
According to a Thursday, Sept. 25, Toronto police news release, 179 of the 3,500 tickets were laid under the Highway Traffic Act and City of Toronto bylaws for micromobility vehicles. The city-wide campaign ran from Monday, Aug. 25, to Saturday, Sept. 13.
The campaign focused on education and enforcement regarding the use of micromobility vehicles on local, collector, and arterial roads, including bike lanes, sidewalks, and crosswalks. Micromobility vehicle is a term used to describe small, compact, low-speed vehicles, which can include bicycles, electric bikes, e-mopeds, electric kick-scooters (e-scooters), and more.
To ensure safety for the back-to-school season, the campaign also saw police concentrated their efforts on traditional school zone safety, including speeding and distracted driving. Under the Highway Traffic Act, officers laid 3,355 tickets for driving offences within 150 metres of a school.
The campaign came in response to Toronto Council’s recommendation for police and city bylaw officers to collaborate on an educational campaign and enforcement blitzes to enhance public awareness of micromobility-related safety issues and regulations.
In the Beaches-East York area, a recent slew of reckless micromobility vehicle operators had caused safety concerns amongst members of the community.
“The use of electric bikes and scooters is increasing across the city, and with that comes an increasing danger to runners and pedestrians,” said concerned local resident Marc-Antony Trepanier in a message to Beach Metro Community News in early September.
City bylaws detailed on the City of Toronto website state that e-scooters are not permitted to be operated on public roads, sidewalks or paths, regardless of user age. E-bikes are also only permitted in Toronto for those 16 years and older.
Due to their micromobility classification, e-scooters do not require any special licence or certification to operate. The City of Toronto website says the city does not have the authority to regulate the sale of micromobility vehicles.
Though the recent enforcement campaign has come to an end, police said in today’s news release that “officers will continue to educate drivers and enforce the Highway Traffic Act and City of Toronto bylaws on all micromobility vehicles.”
