Toronto

Ontario plans to launch 5-year pilot project that allows e-scooters on roads

Ontario plans to run a five-year pilot that allows electric scooters on the province's roads.

Proposed pilot would allow e-scooters on some roads where bicycles can operate

Some e-scooters have a top speed of around 25 km/h. One manufacturer says it has developed a system within its app that lowers speed for new users and in certain zones, like areas with schools. (Yanjun Li/CBC)

Ontario plans to run a five-year pilot that allows electric scooters on the province's roads.

Driving an e-scooter on the road is currently illegal because the province says the vehicles don't currently meet government safety standards.

The Ministry of Transportation says the proposed pilot would allow e-scooters to be driven on roads where bicycles can operate except on provincial highways.

Drivers must be at least 16-years-old, are not allowed to have passengers, and the vehicles cannot exceed a maximum operating speed of 32 km/h.

It says e-scooters could act as environmentally friendly alternatives to other vehicles in a posting on the province's regulatory registry.

Several groups representing people with disabilities have raised concerns about the proposed pilot and asked the government to study the safety risks around the vehicles.