HALDIMAND—Area parents contemplating whether to give in to their child’s pleas to buy that fancy new e-scooter may want to consider that, under Haldimand’s current bylaws, use of those scooters, as well as power-assisted bikes, is not permitted on county roads.
Changing that would require a new bylaw that “explicitly permits these vehicles to operate on municipal roadways, sidewalks, trails, etc.,” according to County spokesperson Kyra Hayes.
“To date, Haldimand County has not introduced a bylaw to permit e-bikes and e-scooters, thus their use is prohibited within Haldimand. The Highway Traffic Act gives municipalities the authority to either allow or disallow these vehicles from using municipal roadways, trails, sidewalks, paths, etc.,” Hayes said.
In 2020, the provincial government gave municipalities the opportunity to opt in to an e-scooter pilot program that is meant to determine whether or not Ontario should lower restrictions on use of these devices throughout the province. The program has been extended to 2029.
Under the province’s pilot program, riders must be at least 16 years old and wear a bicycle helmet if they are under 18 years old. Riders are not permitted to carry passengers or cargo.
Haldimand did not opt in to the program and has no current plans to.
“To date, staff have not been directed to investigate the possibility of permitting e-bikes and e-scooters,” said Hayes.
She added, “Staff have received numerous complaints about the presence of these vehicles being used on municipal roadways, sidewalks, and trails.”
Asked if Haldimand has conducted any studies or reviews on whether a bylaw allowing e-scooter and e-bike use in the county was supported by the community, Hayes replied, “No studies or reviews have been conducted. These would likely be conducted by the province or possibly health agencies.”
The Press reached out to the community via social media to get a gauge on where residents stand on the issue. The response was divided, with several chiming in on Facebook groups across Dunnville, Caledonia, and Cayuga to share their thoughts.
On Dunnville Small Town Big Hearts, resident Sandra Robins Hoover shared her belief that power-assisted vehicles should be plated and insured, and “children should never be allowed on them until they are old enough to have a driver’s licence.”
Melinda Cannon disagreed, saying, “Dunnville doesn’t have public transit …so having another affordable and convenient way for people to get around would be a huge benefit. E-scooters and e-bikes are small, they’re seasonal, and they’re not exactly taking up a huge amount of space on the road. If the County has concerns about safety or where they’re allowed to operate, that’s what bylaws and regulations are for. There are plenty of ways to set rules around speed, parking, sidewalks, trails, helmets, etc. without banning them altogether.”
Cannon would love to see Haldimand County consider a scooter rental program similar to Hamilton.
“If the County is going to allow them, why not have a regulated rental system and generate some revenue from it at the same time?” she suggested.
“The low-income housing being built in Dunnville, lower-income residents don’t have access to a vehicle and, without public transit, getting to work, shopping, appointments, or other parts of the community can be difficult. An e-bike or e-scooter can provide some independence without the cost of owning and maintaining a car.”
Wayne Nicholson sees no problem with the vehicles operating on roadways, but would like to see them banned in parks.
“Seniors walk the park. Also, there are disabled persons that would appreciate the concrete pathways without worry of being hit,” he said.
Sharon Jones relayed her experience falling off a moving scooter.
“I had a terrible fall and smashed my face up, as well as my arm and hip. I continue to use my scooter after that but there’s a real sense of false security with them and I think kids in general are going to be much more vulnerable on a scooter, so personally I would vote for them to stay banned in public places.”
On What’s Up Caledonia, Diannia Shepherd would restrict use to those over 16, with strict helmet and road use rules.
“Parents should have to register the scooters,” she said.
Patty Southward said, “I believe that there are a lot of parents that have responsible children, however, I do think that e-scooter riders should have to take a safety course, pass, and have their e-scooter registered with their parents’ insurance company. That way the children know that they and their parents are accountable for anything they do.”
On What’s Up Cayuga, a user going by the name Sandra Dee worries about children using the high-speed scooters without helmets while not observing the rules of the road.
“On sidewalks, often times walkers have to jump out of the way or possibly get hit,” she said. “Are parents willing to assume blame for a juvenile that causes an accident or fatality?”
It’s clear the issue is one that draws some strong opinions.
One thing that’s not up for debate though: if you or your child gets caught operating one of these vehicles on a county road or in a county park, you could face a fine.
Hayes cautioned, “There is currently no bylaw permitting e-scooters on Haldimand County roads, which means they are not legal to operate on municipal roadways. ATVs are also not permitted on municipal roadways or trails unless specifically authorized.”
She added, “Section 35 Haldimand County’s Public Parks and Facilities Bylaw states that power-assisted bicycles are prohibited to ride or operate while the power assistance is engaged.”
