The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding residents that electric kick-scooters are completely prohibited from public roads, streets, and sidewalks in all municipalities within the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR).

The OPP stated that officers have observed an increase in e-scooter use by youth travelling to and from school.

The OPP emphasized that e-scooter use is subject to municipal by-laws and provincial regulations, and that these devices may not be permitted in all communities.

Under Ontario’s Electric Kick-Scooter Pilot Program, municipalities must actively opt in and pass local bylaws to make e-scooters street-legal.

Because no municipality within Prescott and Russell has opted into this framework, operating an e-scooter on any public right-of-way remains illegal. Locally, they are restricted entirely to private property.

Ontario’s e-scooter pilot program requires municipalities to opt in and establish local regulations governing their use.

Currently, no municipalities in Prescott and Russell jurisdiction are participating in the provincial e-scooter pilot program, meaning e-scooters are not permitted for use on public roads, streets, or sidewalks within those municipalities.

Residents are encouraged to check with their local municipality if they reside outside the Prescott and Russell jurisdiction or are unsure whether they fall within it before operating an e-scooter, as regulations vary from one community to another.

Where e-scooters are permitted through municipal by-law, riders must comply with provincial requirements, including:
· Riders must be at least 16 years of age.
· Riders under 18 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet.
· Passengers and cargo are not permitted.
· E-scooters cannot be operated on sidewalks.
· Riders must obey applicable rules of the road.

For more information about Ontario’s e-scooter pilot program, visit Ontario.ca/eScooters. For information regarding local municipal by-laws, contact your municipality directly.