The Do’s and Don’ts of Operating your E-Scooter in Mississauga
/As part of the City of Mississauga’s E-Scooter Pilot Program, Mississauga residents, visitors and commuters can use their e-scooters to get to their destinations. Before you get to scooting, make sure you’re up to speed on where you can and can’t operate your e-scooter in Mississauga, as well as the rules and etiquette to follow to keep yourself and other road users safe.
The City has implemented an e-scooter pilot to regulate the personally-owned e-scooters currently being operated in Mississauga. An e-scooter is a two-wheeled device that the rider operates while standing. The devices are battery-operated and equipped with a hand brake, lights, bell and kickstand. In Mississauga, e-scooters can be operated by those 16 years old and older, up to a speed of 24 km/h.
As part of the pilot, the City has updated its Parks By-Law, Traffic By-Law and Transit By-Law to regulate where e-scooters can be operated in Mississauga.
Where to operate your e-scooter in Mississauga
Operate your e-scooter on:
· Public roadways in Mississauga with a posted speed limit of up to 50 km/h.
· Cycling infrastructure (i.e. multi-use trails along roadways and bike lanes).
Do not operate your e-scooter on:
· Sidewalks, except for the purpose of directly crossing a sidewalk.
· Public roadways with a posted speed limit of more than 50 km/h.
· Trails within City parks.
· City-owned land not designated as public roadways (e.g. Transit terminals).
· The Mississauga Transitway.
General rules and etiquette
· Helmets must be worn by riders under the age of 18; however, it is encouraged that all riders wear a helmet for their safety.
· Only one rider per e-scooter is permitted – passengers are not allowed.
· Do not carry, tow, push or pull another person, device or object while using your e-scooter.
· When parking an e-scooter, ensure it is left in an upright position, out of the way of traffic (e.g. by a bike rack).
· Ensure your e-scooter has a light that can be seen by others, particularly at night.
Operating your e-scooter on a Mississauga road
· Travel in the same direction as vehicle traffic.
· When on a road where no bike lane exists, travel in the shoulder or right side of the road.
· Signal your intention to turn using turn signal lights.
· Obey all traffic signals and signs.
· Always be aware of surrounding traffic, especially at intersections.
Operating your e-scooter on cycling infrastructure
· Share the trail – follow all trail etiquette.
· Stay to the right, pass on the left.
· Yield to pedestrians.
· Use your bell or give a friendly verbal warning before passing a pedestrian, cyclist or other trail-user.
· Obey all trail signage.
· Keep a safe distance from and give way to pedestrians or cyclists by slowing down or stopping completely if insufficient space to pass.
Travelling on MiWay with your e-scooter
· E-scooters are allowed on MiWay buses as long as there is space on the bus and the accessible seating area and aisles are not blocked.
· E-scooters are not allowed on the bus bike rack.
· Dismount from your e-scooter at transit terminals and stations.
· Turn off your e-scooter before boarding the bus.
· Similar to a skateboard, you are not allowed to ride an e-scooter while onboard the bus, but you may bring it along with you.
Have thoughts on the use of e-scooters in Mississauga? Visit yoursay.mississauga.ca/escooter to share your experiences operating your e-scooter in Mississauga and interacting with others operating e-scooters in the city.
Your feedback will inform whether e-scooter systems should become part of Mississauga’s greater transportation system in the future.