London City Council Backs E-Scooter Trial Extension and New Safety Fines

A committee in the City of London has shown support for extending an electric scooter pilot program, which includes introducing a $100 fine for parents who let their kids under 16 ride e-scooters on city property.

Councillors on the infrastructure and corporate services committee voted 2-1 in favor of London’s involvement in the provincial e-scooter pilot project, expected to run until November 27, 2029. The city first allowed e-scooter usage in March 2023.

Ward 10 Coun. Paul Van Meerbergen cast the only vote against the extension, stating that e-scooters are “inherently unsafe.”

“It’s almost like a wild west out there in terms of people not knowing where they’re supposed to be riding these things,” said Van Meerbergen during Wednesday’s council committee meeting.

“The other day, I was driving along a busy street and one came flying out between a row of parked cars out of nowhere.”

The committee also agreed to continue London’s participation in the provincial cargo e-bike program. Cargo e-bikes can carry over 55 kg and are different from standard bikes with smaller cargo areas that families often use legally within the city.

People aged over 16 can currently ride e-scooters on roads with speed limits up to 50 km/h or less, as well as bike lanes or multi-use paths.

Couns. Hadleigh Mc Alister and Elizabeth Peloza supported the e-scooter initiative because it offers many Londoners a dependable and cost-effective way to get around. They both emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring of e-scooter use, sharing data with the province, and investing in better safety measures.

“I think we still have a piece to do for public advocacy and getting the word out on our channels,” said Peloza. “Also realizing it’s not just children who use these e-scooters, and with rising gas prices, I’m sure more people will turn to them as an option for transportation.”

Injuries Are Rising Amid Low Ridership

The city gathered information about e-scooter activity at eight intersections last summer and found fewer than one e-scooter per hour across all locations. They made up only 0.18 percent of all vehicles counted.

Even though usage was low, over 200 injuries related to e-scooters resulted in hospital visits throughout 2025, including:

193 injuries resulting in an emergency department visit34 injuries resulting in hospital admission

This data was collected by St. Joseph Health Care and London Health Sciences Centre.

“One lady told me she was putting her blue box out when a mother rode by with two kids on one of these e-scooters and nearly collided with her,” said Van Meerbergen.

“I think it borders on being irresponsible to continue with this.”

An electric scooter user in Vancouver. (Justine Beaulieu-Poudrier/CBC/Radio-Canada)

The general public has mixed feelings about e-scooters. The city received feedback from 650 forms and emails between January 23 and March 31, finding that responses were 29 percent positive, 22 percent negative, and 47 percent neutral.

The main concerns mentioned included sidewalk riding, children using them, helmet regulations, and enforcement issues.

No Police Enforcement Observed This Year

This year saw no enforcement from either London police or municipal law officers regarding the e-scooter regulations due to low ridership levels alongside minimal raised concerns attributed also to resource limitations as stated by a city report.

Durng Wednesday’s committee meeting, officials mentioned that officers lack authority to request identification from those riding scooters while asking citizens who have any worries about riders’ behavior or compliance provide information as necessary.

The city’s plans include various steps aimed at enhancing public safety through educational campaigns focused on helmets along with age restrictions while launching new enforcement initiatives involving local police along with enforcement officers scheduled for rollout soon.

A review by city council regarding these recommendations will take place on May 12.

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