Electric Scooter Laws in Canada 2026: Province Guide

Electric scooters are legal in some parts of Canada, but there is no single nationwide rule. Each province or territory establishes its own framework, while municipalities may decide whether e-scooters can be used locally and where riders may operate them.

This means an e-scooter may be legal in one city but prohibited in another city within the same province. Before riding, check both provincial regulations and municipal bylaws.

This guide was reviewed in July 2026 and is intended for general information only. Regulations and pilot programs can change, so always confirm the latest rules through official government sources.

Are Electric Scooters Legal in Canada?

Electric scooters are permitted in certain provinces and participating municipalities, subject to rules covering:

• Minimum rider age

• Helmet use

• Maximum speed

• Motor power and vehicle weight

• Permitted roads and bicycle lanes

• Sidewalk restrictions

• Lighting and braking equipment

• Passenger and cargo restrictions

Buying an electric scooter does not necessarily mean it can legally be ridden on public roads. In some jurisdictions, ownership and private-property use are permitted while public riding remains prohibited.

Electric Scooter Laws by Province

Electric Scooter Laws in Ontario

Ontario operates an electric kick-scooter pilot program that allows individual municipalities to decide whether e-scooters may be used locally. The provincial pilot regulation is currently scheduled to remain in effect until November 27, 2029.

In municipalities participating in the pilot:

• Riders must be at least 16 years old.

• Riders under 18 must wear a bicycle helmet.

• The maximum permitted speed is 24 km/h.

• Motor output cannot exceed 500 watts.

• Only one rider is allowed.

• Passengers and cargo are prohibited.

• E-scooters cannot be used on controlled-access highways.

• Municipalities determine which roads, bicycle lanes and paths are permitted.

Participation in the Ontario pilot does not automatically make e-scooters legal throughout the province. Riders must check the bylaws of the municipality where they plan to ride.

Official source: Ontario Regulation 389/19

Are Electric Scooters Legal in Toronto?

No. Toronto has not joined Ontario’s e-scooter pilot program, so electric scooters cannot legally be ridden on public roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, paths, or parks.

Read our complete guide: Are Electric Scooters Legal in Toronto?

Electric Scooter Laws in British Columbia

British Columbia operates a province-wide electric kick-scooter pilot. However, roads inside municipalities are included only where the municipality participates in the pilot. Limited rules also allow riding on certain provincial highways outside municipal boundaries.

The main provincial requirements include:

• Riders must be at least 16 years old.

• An approved bicycle helmet is mandatory.

• The maximum device speed is 25 km/h.

• Motor power cannot exceed 500 watts.

• Total scooter weight cannot exceed 45 kg.

• Only one person may ride the scooter.

• Passengers and towing are prohibited.

• Front and rear lights are required when riding at night.

• Mobile phone use and impaired riding are prohibited.

• Sidewalk riding is generally prohibited unless specifically authorized.

Use outside participating municipalities is limited. On certain highways outside municipal boundaries, riding may be allowed only where a cycle lane is available.

Official source: British Columbia electric kick-scooter rules

Electric Scooter Laws in Quebec

Quebec classifies electric scooters as motorized personal mobility devices.

The main requirements are:

• Riders must be at least 14 years old.

• A helmet is mandatory.

• A driver’s licence is not required.

• The scooter’s maximum speed must be limited to 25 km/h.

• Riding is permitted on roads with speed limits of 50 km/h or less.

• Certain bicycle paths may also be used.

• Sidewalk riding is prohibited.

• Passengers, trailers and towing are prohibited.

• Riders must follow traffic rules that generally apply to cyclists.

• Municipalities may prohibit e-scooters on particular roads or bicycle paths.

The scooter must also meet Quebec’s requirements for weight, wheel size, braking systems, lights, reflectors and motor cut-off speed.

For Quebec-specific riding areas, equipment rules and fines, read our complete guide to electric scooter laws in Quebec.

Official source: Quebec electric scooter rules

Electric Scooter Laws in Alberta

Alberta does not provide blanket public-road approval for every privately owned electric scooter. Rules depend heavily on the municipality and on whether the scooter is privately owned or part of an approved shared-scooter program.

Calgary and Edmonton, for example, may establish different rules covering:

• Minimum age

• Sidewalk use

• Bicycle lanes

• Permitted roads

• Maximum operating speed

• Parking

• Shared scooters versus privately owned scooters

Do not assume that rules applying to a rental scooter also apply to a personal scooter. Check the current municipal transportation and bylaw pages before riding.

Official sources: City of Calgary and City of Edmonton.

Electric Scooter Laws in Manitoba

Manitoba passed Bill 43 on June 1, 2026, creating a legal framework for personal electric vehicles, including electric kick scooters. However, the Act comes into force only on a date set by proclamation.

Once in force, the framework will generally require e-scooter riders to be at least 16 years old, wear a helmet, travel no faster than 25 km/h and stay off highways posted above 50 km/h. Until the effective date and applicable local rules are confirmed, riders should not assume that these requirements already authorize public-road use.

E-scooters also remain prohibited on trails and beaches in Manitoba provincial parks.

Official sources: Manitoba S.M. 2026, c. 36 and Manitoba Parks.

Electric Scooter Laws in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia recognizes electric kick scooters under its motor vehicle legislation, but municipalities decide where they may be used.

General rules include:

• Riders must be at least 14 years old.

• A helmet is required.

• The provincial maximum speed is 32 km/h.

• Municipalities may establish a lower speed limit.

• Municipalities decide whether scooters are allowed on roads, sidewalks or shared pathways.

• Riders must use available bicycle lanes where required.

• Only one person may ride at a time.

• Towing and trick riding are prohibited.

• Electric scooters are not permitted on provincial highways.

Because permitted riding areas vary, check the local municipal bylaw before using an e-scooter.

Electric Scooter Laws in Prince Edward Island

Electric kick scooters are legal in Prince Edward Island when the scooter and rider meet provincial requirements.

The main rules include:

• Riders must be at least 16 years old.

• A properly fitted bicycle helmet is mandatory.

• A driver’s licence, registration, insurance and licence plate are not required.

• Maximum motor output is 500 watts.

• Maximum permitted speed is 24 km/h.

• The scooter must have brakes, lights and a bell or horn.

• Sidewalk riding is prohibited.

• Riding is prohibited on highways with speed limits above 60 km/h.

• Only one person may ride the scooter.

• Municipal bylaws may create additional restrictions.

Official source: Prince Edward Island electric kick-scooter rules

Electric Scooter Laws in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan allows municipalities to decide whether electric scooters may be used on public roads.

Where e-scooters are permitted:

• Riders must generally be at least 16 years old.
• The maximum operating speed is 24 km/h.
• An approved helmet is required.
• A driver’s licence and vehicle registration are not required.
• Only one rider is permitted.
• Riding is generally limited to roads with speed limits of 50 km/h or less.
• Municipalities determine the permitted streets, bicycle lanes and pathways.
• Local speed and parking rules may apply.

Check the applicable city or town bylaw before riding.

Official source: SGI electric scooter information

New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Territories

Rules in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut may depend on how the device is classified under existing motor vehicle legislation.

An electric scooter could potentially be treated differently based on its:

• Motor power

• Maximum speed

• Weight

• Wheel configuration

• Seat

• Vehicle identification and registration eligibility

Avoid relying on rules written for mopeds, mobility scooters, motorcycles or e-bikes unless the government explicitly states that they apply to stand-up electric kick scooters.

Before using an e-scooter on public property, contact the provincial or territorial transportation department and check the local municipality’s bylaws.

Can You Ride an Electric Scooter on the Sidewalk?

Usually not.

Sidewalk riding is prohibited in many Canadian jurisdictions because sidewalks are primarily intended for pedestrians. However, some municipalities may create limited exceptions or designate particular shared-use paths.

A shared pathway, bicycle lane and sidewalk are not legally interchangeable. Always check how the route is classified.

Do You Need a Licence to Ride an Electric Scooter?

A separate driver’s licence is not required for many standard electric kick scooters in Canada. However, requirements vary by province, municipality, and vehicle classification.

For more details, read our guide: Do You Need a Licence to Ride an Electric Scooter?

What Is the Maximum Electric Scooter Speed in Canada?

There is no national speed limit for electric scooters.

Common limits include:

• Ontario pilot municipalities: 24 km/h

• British Columbia pilot communities: 25 km/h

• Quebec: 25 km/h

• Prince Edward Island: 24 km/h

• Nova Scotia: up to 32 km/h, with municipalities allowed to set lower limits

• Saskatchewan municipalities that authorize e-scooters: 24 km/h

A scooter capable of travelling faster than the local limit may not qualify as a legal electric kick scooter, even if the rider intends to travel slowly.

What Should You Check Before Buying an Electric Scooter in Canada?

Before buying an electric scooter, confirm that your city permits personal e-scooters and compare the model’s governed speed, motor output, weight, wheel size, braking system and lighting equipment with local requirements. A scooter can be legally sold in Canada but still be prohibited on public roads.

Electric Scooter Safety Checklist

Before every ride:

1. Confirm that your municipality permits electric scooters.

2. Check which roads, bicycle lanes and paths are allowed.

3. Wear an approved helmet.

4. Make sure the brakes, bell and lights work.

5. Follow the local speed limit.

6. Do not carry passengers.

7. Keep off sidewalks unless local rules explicitly permit them.

8. Do not use a phone or headphones while riding.

9. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

10. Recheck local regulations when travelling to another city.

Conclusion

Electric scooter laws in Canada depend on both provincial regulations and municipal bylaws. A rule that applies in Vancouver, Ottawa or Montreal may not apply in Calgary, Winnipeg or Toronto.

Before riding, verify three things: whether your municipality permits e-scooters, whether your scooter meets the legal technical requirements, and which roads or paths may be used. Wearing a helmet and following bicycle-style safety practices remain sensible even where they are not mandatory.