E Scooters Not Allowed on Municipal Property in Shelburne

In response to questions and concerns raised by Council at the June 22, 2026 Council meeting regarding the use of e‑scooters in Shelburne, the Town is providing clarification to residents.

E‑scooters have never been permitted, and are not currently allowed, on municipal roads, sidewalks, trails, or in parks within the Town of Shelburne.

You can view the June 22, 2026 Council meeting discussion here:
https://pub-shelburne.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=591f42ce-b85c-4d36-89c1-0dedc7fd65fb&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=11&Tab=attachments 

Provincial Framework

The Province of Ontario allows municipalities to opt into an e‑scooter pilot project that permits their use under specific conditions. The Town of Shelburne has not opted into this program.

Under current provincial legislation, if a municipality does not opt in, e‑scooters are prohibited by default. As a result, e‑scooters are not permitted on municipal roads, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, trails, or parks.

For more information on provincial rules, visit:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/electric-kick-style-scooters-e-scooters 

Current Regulations and Enforcement

Because the Town has not opted into the pilot program, e‑scooters remain prohibited under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA). This means:

• E‑scooters cannot be used on public rights‑of‑way, including roads, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, multi-use trails, or parks
• Enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)
• Municipal By-law Enforcement Officers do not have the authority to stop or issue fines to e‑scooter users

Town staff do not issue fines related to e‑scooter use and will continue to focus on public education and awareness, particularly as e‑scooters become more common.

Council Review and Future Consideration

Council reviewed this matter in detail in Report LS 2026‑11, presented on May 25, 2026, which outlines the regulatory and enforcement considerations.
The following resolution was passed by Council:

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives report LS2026-11 regarding the use and regulation of electric scooters (e-scooters) for information;

AND THAT the Town of Shelburne has not opted in to the Provincial Pilot Program for E-scooters therefore they are unregulated by the Town and not permitted on public rights-of-way under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) – this includes roads, sidewalks, multi-use trails and parks;

AND FURTHER THAT as part of the Town’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP), recommendations will review whether a phased approach to explore if the use of e-scooters should be permitted in Shelburne and to opt in to the Provincial Pilot Program.