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Petawawa is preparing to join Ontario’s electric scooter pilot program, but town officials are reminding residents that e-scooters are not yet permitted on local roads until council adopts a new bylaw.
Town council has directed staff to participate in the provincial pilot program and prepare a bylaw governing the use of e-scooters in Petawawa.
Under provincial rules, e-scooters must have two wheels, a platform for standing, handlebars, an electric motor of no more than 500 watts and a maximum speed of 24 kilometres per hour on a level surface.
Riders must be at least 16 years old and remain standing while operating the devices. Riders under 18 must wear a bicycle helmet. E-scooters cannot carry passengers or cargo, or be operated on sidewalks.
The town says staff have received complaints about young people riding e-scooters on the grounds of the Petawawa Civic Centre, as well as on sidewalks and around pedestrians.
Officials are stressing that e-scooters are not toys, citing an increase in serious injuries involving battery-powered mobility devices reported by the SickKids Hospital Trauma Registry since 2020.
The Upper Ottawa Valley OPP has also reminded residents that impaired-driving laws apply to e-scooter operators, as the devices are considered motor vehicles under the Criminal Code.
The town says further public education will take place once council adopts the bylaw and Petawawa formally participates in the provincial pilot program.
(Steve Berard)
