Toronto municipality's insistence on continuing the ban on electric scooters

City staff have urged city council to develop plans for low-speed vehicles on Toronto's streets while continuing to ban electric scooters. At a meeting of Toronto's Infrastructure and Environment Committee on May 2, city staff recommended that city council develop a provincial pilot project for "low-speed vehicles" on city streets. Two- to four-wheeled vehicles that can carry up to four people at a speed of up to 40 km/h are not allowed on highways.

The committee also recommended that the municipality not continue to participate in the electric scooter pilot program, as these devices pose a significant safety risk and cause serious injuries.

In 2021, the city council unanimously voted not to participate in the province's electric scooter trial program.

Activists of disabled people praised this decision of the municipality. The Canadian Council of the Blind has been vocal in its criticism of these devices, calling them a "silent threat" because they endanger the public safety of people, especially the elderly and disabled.

According to activists, electric scooters that travel on the sidewalks are dangerous for blind people and those who use wheelchairs.

Currently, electric scooters cannot be used or parked on any public street in Toronto. This includes bike lanes and sidewalks.

This issue is supposed to be discussed at the next council meeting on May 22.

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