Item - 2023.IE5.5

That:

1. City Council direct that the forthcoming report to the February 2024 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee include recommendations on whether or not the City should launch micromobility pilot projects that:

a. take appropriate precautions to protect pedestrians, including those with disabilities;

b. collect detailed data on its claimed climate benefits;

c. meet appropriate safety standards; and 

d. include appropriate liability insurance.

That City Council adopt the recommendations in the supplementary report (July 18, 2023) from the General Manager, Transportation Services (IE5.5a), as follows:

1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with relevant divisions, agencies, boards and commissions and key stakeholders, including, but not limited to, members of the public, the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee and persons with disabilities, pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, business improvement areas, and the broad micromobility industry, to report back by end of the first quarter of 2024 on a comprehensive Micromobility Strategy, as described in the report entitled "Developing a Micromobility Strategy and Pilot Projects" from the General Manager, Transportation Services, dated July 18, 2023.

2. City Council request Transport Canada to regulate and harmonize micromobility vehicle safety and battery safety, standards, testing and labelling, and conduct robust consultation with key stakeholders on universal accessibility, active transportation, and road safety, given the importance of micromobility for utilitarian transportation and the importance of public health, safety and protection, as well as clarity for businesses that manufacture, import, distribute, retail and provide insurance products for micromobility.

3. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with key internal and external stakeholders, including Toronto Public Health, Toronto Police Services, and on-demand delivery-related companies, to develop and implement a public education campaign to support safe active transportation and Vision Zero road safety, as well as request local enforcement efforts to address problem areas for illegal parking in bike lanes and illegal sidewalk riding.

That City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to include in the forthcoming report to the February 2024 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommendation on wearing of a helmet as a mandatory requirement of any e-scooter future pilot.

That City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, to develop options to require standardized individual identification markings to be installed on e-scooters as part of any future pilot.

That the Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Toronto Parking Authority, the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, other relevant divisions, agencies, boards and commissions and key stakeholders including the Accessibility Advisory Committee, to report back to the February 2024 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee on a Micromobility Strategy as part of a comprehensive “Active Transportation Network” for the City of Toronto.

2. City Council request that the report evaluate:

a. the impact of a possible E-Scooter Rental Pilot Project on utilization of City resources, including police and municipal licensing;

b. what options the City has to ensure that privately owned scooters have adequate insurance, speed limits and other protections for vulnerable road users; and

c. how other North American cities manage the risks that e-scooters pose to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

3. City Council request Transport Canada to regulate harmonized micromobility vehicle safety, standards, testing and labelling, and conduct robust consultation with key stakeholders on universal accessibility, active transportation, and road safety, given the importance of consumer safety and protection, as well as clarity for businesses that manufacture, import, distribute, retail and provide insurance products for micromobility.

4. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health, to consult with accessibility stakeholders to develop a public education campaign to effectively convey the existing By-laws on the prohibition of e-scooters use in all public spaces.

That Infrastructure and Environment Committee forward the item to City Council without recommendations, and request the General Manager, Transportation Services to report directly to the July 19, 20 and 21, 2023 meeting of City Council with recommendations on planning for an E-scooter program in the City of Toronto.

Councillor Mike Colle, on a Point of Order, stated that questions of staff should be made with respect.