Item - 2022.DI19.7

The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that:

1.  The City Manager, in consultation with relevant City divisions, provide an update to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee at its May 5, 2022 meeting, on the progress of the public education campaign for the prohibition of e-scooters in the public realm, the plan on city-wide enforcement and confirmation of the necessary funding for 2022 and future budget processes.

At the May 5, 2021 meeting of City Council, a recommendation to decline the option to participate in O.Reg 389/19 - Pilot Project - Electric Kick-Scooters was adopted Agenda Item History - 2021.IE21.7  At that time, City Council requested that City staff work with the Toronto Police Service Board to develop a public education campaign to convey the existing by-laws as well as actively scale up city-wide enforcement on the prohibition of e-scooters.

Since that time, there have been reports about the continued and expanding use of e-scooters through the city, using the prohibited public sidewalk, park pathways, and other pedestrian-oriented space. E-scooters are virtually silent and pose a threat to anyone who is blind or has mobility limitations navigating the sidewalks. Additionally, any e-scooters randomly abandoned in the public right-of-way as witnessed in other cities create barriers for persons with disabilities, seniors, or anyone with mobility issues.

This continues to be a considerable challenge for the community despite the prohibition on electric kick-scooters. It is important that the City of Toronto address the ongoing gap in public education and enforcement in order to keep the public realm safe and accessible for all.