Barrie residents split on e-scooters as City considers next steps

A file image of an e-scooter.

A recent survey revealed Barrie residents are pretty divided when it comes to allowing electric kick-scooters in the city. According to City staff, just over half of residents are in favour, but many have real concerns about safety and how rules would be enforced.

The City of Barrie ran the survey from late July to early September, and said nearly 1,200 people shared their thoughts.

Split Results

City staff say the survey showed that about 51 per cent said they’d like to see e-scooters allowed, and 42 per cent were open to having shared rental scooters. On the flip side, 60 per cent of respondents raised worries, mainly about people not following the rules and the risk to pedestrians.

Many residents called for helmets to be mandatory, insurance requirements, speed limits, and tougher enforcement. Some, though, questioned whether police and bylaw officers have the resources to keep up with enforcement.

Illegal Use

Right now, e-scooters are actually illegal on Barrie’s streets, sidewalks, trails, and parks, but city staff said more people are riding their own scooters anyway, most unaware it’s illegal, which is part of the reason why the Ministry of Transportation started a pilot program back in 2020.

The program lets municipalities decide whether to allow e-scooters under certain rules, like age limits, helmet use for those under 18, speed caps, and where scooters can be used. The pilot was recently extended through 2029 to give municipalities more time to figure things out.

Popular Option

Staff noted e-scooters are becoming more popular as a cheap, flexible, and environmentally friendly way to get around, especially for short trips or connecting to transit, and could benefit municipalities.

“E-scooters are seen as supporting a shift away from car dependency, advancing transportation equity by offering an affordable option for those without access to a vehicle, and helping to reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions,” the memorandum stated.

Collision Concerns

But Barrie staff say there are still a lot of unknowns especially around safety, liability, and how to regulate e-scooters properly.

Staff highlighted that research shows injuries are on the rise, particularly among kids and teens, often because helmets aren’t being worn or riders aren’t careful.

The memo also warn that if the city allows e-scooters and collisions happen, the municipality could face lawsuits, emphasizing that the legal framework around e-scooters just isn’t as clear as it is for cars, bikes, or pedestrians.

“Although e-scooters are illegal to operate, claims have been filed against the City,” the staff memo stated.

For now, city staff are recommending Barrie hold off on joining the provincial pilot program and instead continue to monitor how things develop. The final note was to wait until there’s more solid information and guidance before making any big moves.