Micromobility
Regulations & By-laws for Micromobility and Off-Road Vehicles
Know the rules before you ride micromobility vehicles and off-road vehicles in the Town of New Tecumseth.
Micromobility vehicles include small, compact, low-speed vehicles that are lighter than cars, such as e-bikes, e-scooters, mopeds, etc. Off-road vehicles include but are not limited to dirt bikes (including electric dirt bikes) and ATVs.
Micromobility Vehicles Allowed in New Tecumseth
Micromobility refers to small, lightweight transportation vehicles that are often powered by electricity or physical effort.
You are allowed to ride the following vehicles, but only in the areas specified for each vehicle.
Human-Powered Kick-Scooter, In-Line Skates / Rollerblades, and Skateboard
Human-powered kick-scooters, in-line skates / rollerblades, and skateboards are permitted on most sidewalks in the Town, except for the locations prohibited in the Town’s Micromobility Devices By-law.
Human-powered kick-scooters, rollerblades, and skateboards are also permitted on multi-use trails and parks unless signed otherwise. Riders of these devices should operate on the sidewalk or multi-use trail/path instead of the road where provided. It is also encouraged for riders of these devices to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
Human-Powered Bicycles/Tricycles
Human-powered bicycles/tricycles are permitted on most sidewalks in the Town, except for the locations prohibited in the Town’s Micromobility Devices By-law. Cyclists must follow all Ontario’s cycling requirements, including the requirement for all children and youth under 18 to wear a helmet when cycling in Ontario.
Human-powered bicycles / tricycles are also permitted on Town roads, bicycle lanes, multi-use trails and parks unless signed otherwise.
E-Bikes (Including Pedal-Assisted, Power or Throttle-Assisted E-Bikes)
You can ride e-bikes on all Town roads and bicycle lanes. E-bikes are not permitted on sidewalks, in-boulevard multi-use trails and parks within New Tecumseth.
To ride an e-bike, you must:
- be at least 16 years old
- wear an approved motorcycle or bike helmet, regardless of age
- follow regulations like other cyclists
- maintain your e-bike in good working order
- meet all Ontario’s e-bike requirements
The Town does not have the authority to regulate the sale of e-bikes, only what is operated in public spaces. When buying an e-bike, it is important for consumers to make sure it meets the Ontario e-bike requirements. Any modification to an e-bike, such as removing the pedals or adapting the power source, classifies the e-bike as a motorcycle, which will require a motorcycle licence, insurance, and registration. View cycling safety tips at the Ontario Government’s safe cycling webpage to learn more.
Motor-Assisted Bicycle/Moped or Motorcycle (Including Electric Motorcycles)
You can ride motor-assisted bicycles / mopeds and motorcycles (including electric motorcycles) on all Town roads.
To ride a motor-assisted bicycle or motorcycle (including an electric motorcycle), you must:
- be at least 16 years old
- carry a valid driver’s licence at all times
- wear an approved helmet, regardless of age
- have a valid owner’s permit, licence plate and insurance
- obey traffic laws and drive safely
- meet all Ontario’s motorcycle requirements
Limited-Speed Motorcycle
You can ride limited-speed motorcycles (electric or gas-powered) on all Town roads.
To ride a limited-speed motorcycle (electric or gas-powered), you must:
- be at least 16 years old
- carry a valid driver’s licence at all times
- wear an approved helmet, regardless of age
- have a valid owner’s permit, licence plate and insurance
- obey traffic laws and drive safely
- meet all Ontario’s motorcycle requirements
Medical Scooters
Wheelchairs and medical scooters designed for people who have limited mobility because of a medical condition or injury are considered as pedestrians under the Highway Traffic Act. Therefore, motorized wheelchairs and medical scooters can travel where pedestrians are allowed, such as sidewalks and multi-use trails.
Micromobility Vehicles Not Allowed in New Tecumseth
The following micromobility vehicles may be permitted in certain municipalities within the Province of Ontario but are not allowed on the Town of New Tecumseth’s property or within public right-of-way (i.e. Town streets, sidewalks, or trails).
E-Scooter / Electric Kick-Style Scooter
E-scooters are not allowed to operate on Town property (i.e. Town streets, sidewalks, or trails). The MTO is undertaking a pilot program (January 1, 2020 to November 27, 2029) allowing municipalities to establish by-laws to allow e-scooters on a trial basis to assess viability of potential broader future legislation. The Town is not participating in the provincial pilot program currently. Although e-scooters are permitted in some municipalities in Ontario, riding them is not permitted in New Tecumseth.
Low-Speed Vehicle
Low-speed vehicles (motor vehicles designed to travel shorter distances at lower speeds) are not allowed to operate on Town property (i.e. Town streets, sidewalks, or trails).
For more information about this vehicle, read about Ontario’s low-speed vehicle pilot program.
Golf Cart
Golf carts (small vehicles designed to carry golfers and equipment) are not allowed to operate on Town property (i.e. Town streets, sidewalks, or trails).
For more information about this vehicle, read about Ontario’s golf cart pilot program.
Urban Mobility Vehicle
Urban mobility vehicles (compact, three-wheeled vehicles usually with one built-in seat) are not allowed on Town roads.
For more information about this vehicle, read Ontario’s regulatory proposal.
Electric Skateboard, Electric Hoverboard, Electric Unicycle and Segway
Electric skateboards, electric hoverboards, electric unicycles and segways are not allowed on Town roads. Currently, these vehicles are not provincially regulated.
Off-Road Vehicle Regulations
Micromobility refers to small, lightweight transportation vehicles that are often powered by electricity or physical effort.
You are allowed to ride the following vehicles, but only in the areas specified for each vehicle.
Human-Powered Kick-Scooter, In-Line Skates / Rollerblades, and Skateboard
An off-road vehicle is a vehicle designed primarily for recreational use or for the transportation of property or equipment exclusively on undeveloped rights of way, marshland, open country, or other unprepared surfaces. Off-road vehicles include but are not limited to dirt bikes (including electric dirt bikes) and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
To operate an off-road vehicle in the Town, you must comply with all requirements outlined in the Town’s ATV and Off-Road Vehicles By-law and MTO’s Off-Road Vehicle Regulations.
As outlined in MTO’s Regulations, all drivers must:
- be at least 16 years old
- hold at least a valid G2 or M2 licence
- wear an approved motorcycle helmet
- wear a seat belt, where provided
- travel at speeds less than the posted speed limit (see the by-law and regulations for the maximum speed permitted)
Off-road vehicles driven on the Town’s roads must also:
- be registered
- display a licence plate
- be insured under a motor vehicle liability policy
Off-road vehicles are currently permitted on the majority of Town roads, with exceptions listed in the Town’s ATV and Off-Road Vehicles By-law.
As outlined in the Town’s Micromobility Devices By-law, micromobility devices (including bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, and scooters) are prohibited on parts of the sidewalk in the downtown areas, unless you are under 10 years of age and accompanied, on foot by a parent or adult custodian.
Please walk your device through the downtown micromobility device restriction areas. Alternatively, please see the suggested detour routes in the map below.
Detour Routes
