Rental E-Scooters Under Review in Guelph

City staff are exploring the possibility of introducing rentable e-scooters in Guelph as part of an ongoing review of the city’s bylaw framework. The review could lead to a contract with a rental company that would place e-scooters in designated areas across the city, allowing residents to rent them through mobile devices.

Doug Godfrey, Guelph’s general manager of operations, confirmed that the review has just begun and is expected to be presented to council next year. At that point, councillors may decide whether to update the bylaw to include rental programs in addition to the current regulations.

Guelph joined Ontario’s provincial e-scooter pilot program in 2023, which permits use in participating municipalities but does not provide rental fleets. The province originally set the pilot to end in January 2024 but has since extended it to November 27, 2029. Guelph’s bylaw, which does not specify an expiry date, remains valid for the full duration of the provincial program. Provincial regulations are expected to be introduced once the pilot concludes.

Currently, e-scooters are allowed on city streets, multi-use paths, and cycling tracks, but not in parks or trails. Riders must be at least 16 years old, cannot carry passengers or cargo, and must remain standing while operating the scooter. Helmets are mandatory for riders aged 16 to 18. The provincial framework also limits e-scooters to a maximum weight of 45 kilograms, a 500-watt motor, and a top speed of 24 km/h.

Since the program began, the city’s bylaw office has received nine complaints related to e-scooter use, though no charges have been issued. Complaints included abandoned scooters, unsafe riding by youth, speeding in parks, and one incident involving damage to grass. Guelph police reported four driving complaints during the first two years of the pilot, but in each case, riders were not located and no enforcement action was taken.

If council approves the addition of rental services, Guelph would join other Ontario cities such as Waterloo, Windsor, and Toronto where residents can already access shared e-scooter fleets.