Electric bikes and electric scooters are increasingly seen on Canadian streets, from children in neighborhoods to delivery drivers in urban areas and thrill-seekers on highways. An investigative report by Marketplace reveals that some stores are selling these e-scooters and e-bikes with speeds surpassing provincial limits and recommended rider ages below what regulations allow.
Provincial traffic laws generally cap e-bikes and e-scooters at 32 kilometers per hour or less, with varying age restrictions ranging from 12 to 18 across the country. The enforcement of these rules largely falls on local police services, as the number of injuries linked to these vehicles rises annually. Calls for consistent nationwide regulations and enhanced enforcement are mounting.
Marketplace conducted undercover visits to major stores in the Greater Toronto Area, like Amego, Emmo, EZbike, Best Buy, Canadian Tire, and Costco, known for selling popular brands. While Ontario mandates e-scooter and e-bike riders to be at least 16 years old, with speed limits of 24 km/h for e-scooters and 32 km/h for e-bikes, the investigation found that 10 out of 12 stores were selling products surpassing these limits.
The Canadian Electric Bicycle Association (CEBA) founder, Michael Pasquali, expressed concern over stores selling products exceeding legal limits, emphasizing the dangers posed by such actions. Medical professionals caution against allowing anyone under 16 to ride e-bikes and e-scooters due to safety risks.
Market data indicates a substantial increase in e-bike and e-scooter sales in Canada since 2019. However, the surge in sales coincides with a rise in e-scooter-related injuries, including hospitalizations and fatalities among children. The Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program reported ten child fatalities linked to e-scooters and e-bikes in 2025.
Parents, like Amy Richards from St. John’s, are advocating for stricter regulations after her son suffered a severe brain injury from an e-scooter accident. The federal government, led by Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon, is considering regulatory actions to enhance the safety of e-bikes and e-scooters, emphasizing safety as a top priority.
In conclusion, the growing popularity of electric bikes and scooters in Canada is accompanied by concerns over safety, leading to calls for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent injuries and fatalities associated with these vehicles.
